Juan Manuel Fangio (1911 – 1995) was a race car driver from Argentina who dominated the first decade of Formula One racing. He won five Formula One World Driver’s Championships — a record which stood for 46 years eventually beaten by Michael Schumacher — with four different teams (Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Maserati), a feat that has not been repeated since. Many consider Fangio to be the greatest driver of all time.
Unlike today’s Formula One drivers, Fangio raced in a period without television coverage of his achievements. Fortunately for racing fans, video of Fangio does exist on YouTube and other online sources, including the following video of Fangio driving a “Ferrari 2500” in Monte Carlo.
The 3:17 film, shot on the racing circuit within the empty streets of Monaco, is extremely well done, with excellent sound and multiple camera angles befitting a more modern video. The “Ferrari 2500” is clearly the Lancia-Ferrari D50 that Fangio drove to the Formula One World Championship in 1956 or one of its brothers of course.
Judging by the cars parked on the street, we estimate that the video was done in the late ‘60s or early ‘70s, making Fangio approximately 60 years old during filming. That doesn’t stop the “Old Man” from giving the D50 quite a workout, complete with power oversteer out of the Grand Hotel hairpin.
The video changes pace at the 1:17 minute mark, although the footage is still tremendous as are the shots of Fangio using his hands to express his driving style.
Video of Juan Manuel Fangio driving a Lancia-Ferrari D50 at Monaco
[Source: Wikipedia]
Great video. Fangio was one of a kind.
Talk about the REAL running of the Bulls… ! Here is a video of it for everyone to see. The Greatest Bull of them all ! GOD BLESS …….. FANGIO !
Forget Button, Alonso and Weber. This was the real master.
I saw a replica of this car at Goodwood driven by Jochen Mass. Fabulous!!
Fangio was just 2nd best ever…Nuvolari is #1 :p
A wonderful video…the best part is watching Fangio’s hands as he describes driving the course, exactly like a fighter pilot explaining his maneuvers to another pilot after a dogfight. As to who was best, it would have been interesting to see Fangio, Nuvolari, Carraciola, Moss, and Schumacher – all in their prime – run against one another. I don’t know who I’d favor.
I think this video is from 1971, when Fangio toured all european races .
I saw him and got an autograph at Albi GP F2, the same year.
“Ah Bellissimo!!!! Wish I understod Italian!!!
This footage is taken from the film ‘Fangio-A Life at 300km Per Hour.’
The film, running to about 90 minutes was shot during the summer of 1971 on location at Monaco, Monza, Reims, Silverstone and The Nurburgring.
Produced by Gianni Volpi and directed by High Hudson of ‘Chariots of Fire’ fame, it re-creates episodes from The Maestro’s earlier life and career. There’s also an accompanying book with text by ‘Jenks’ of ‘Motor Sport’ magazine which contains many stills from the film.
As far as I know, the director is unwilling to see the film appear on the video market. We enthusiasts must content ourselves with stray clips, such as this, until there is a change of heart.
Insightful selection of comments on a wonderful video! Regarding Peter Linsky’s comment, I would add Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna to the grid – but, as Peter says, I don’t know whom I would favour, either.
The Fangio film has rarely been shown. One occasion was at the Beaulieu Motor Museum in 1993. The first half of the film is indeed about Fangio at Monaco. The second half of the film is full of clips of racing driver funerals. I reviewed the film for a GP fan club when I described it as a sickening exploitation of driver fatalities and wrote that it should remain locked away. I stand by that view – the producer Volpi was known for the violent content of his films. Here was a cheap opportunity for exploitation and perhaps a chance to express his bitterness as he was involved with the failed ATS car project of 1963.
I’ve seen that movie, and it’s only about Fangio’s life. Maybe the “Beaulieu version” was a different cut. BTW, I have it on DVD.
And folks, it’s not italian, is spanish! Here is Fangio himself speaking on the video (sorry for the poor translation):
“Ferrari 2500, engine derived from the Lancia, 8 cylinder, 8000 rpm, same car I raced to 1956 World Championship. On those days, there were many technical improvements: engine part of the chassis, lateral fuel tanks, gearshift very close to the steering wheel, perfect driving position. But this car had a story also: with a car like this, Alberto Ascari ended his race in the sea in 1955.
…
When a car runs ok and the engine sounds harmoniously, noise turns into music and driver into orchestra conductor”