Fangio remembered

Claimed by some to be the greatest racing driver of all time, Juan Manual Fangio will be remembered on the 100th anniversary of his birthday at the Goodwood Revival in September this year

Legendary Formula One driver Juan Manuel Fangio will be remembered at this year's Goodwood Revival in the UK during September with celebrations including daily track parades featuring some his most famous cars.

One of the most revered racing drivers of all time, Jan Manuel Fangio was born in Bal car games ce, Argentina, 100 years ago on June 24, 1911.

The winner of no less than five Formula One World Driver's Championships drove many makes of cars but the one he felt the closest connection with was Italian car-maker Maserati, which supplied the cars that helped him to two of his world championships.

As a sponsor of this year's Goodwood Revival in the UK between September 16 and 18, Maserati will play a major part in the 100th anniversary celebrations of Fangio's birthday. The Goodwood event will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of Fangio's first World Championship victory, driving for Alfa Romeo in 1951.

Fangio won his second world championship driving for both Maserati, in a 250F, and Mercedes-Benz, driving a W196, in 1954. He then took out the title for Mercedes-Benz in 1955 before switching to Scuderia Ferrari to win the 1956 championship.

His most memorable World Championship was his fifth, at the Nurburgring in 1957, when he again drove for Maserati, again behind the wheel of a 250F.

He lost his race lead during the race by pitting to refuel but went in pursuit of the cars that slipped past him, smashing lap records on the way until he passed the two leading Ferraris to take out what be his last Grand Prix victory. On one lap he recorded a time 11 seconds better than Ferrari's quickest.

Fangio said later he had driven "In a state of grace. I have never driven that quickly before in my life and I don't think I will ever be able to do it again."

His connections with Maserati took on a special status that always remained with him.

This was brought home when he once said: "I raced and won with cars of all makes, but I always had a special relationship with Maserati. Not only were they safe and reliable cars always on the cutting edge of technology, but there was a relationship of friendship and a special atmosphere between the brand and I...felt at home."

Juan Manuel Fangio died in Buenos Aires on July 17 1995, aged 84.

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