F1'S GREATEST DRIVERS - AUTOSPORT persuaded 217 world championship Formula 1 heroes to vote for the all-time greates driver

Flag of Italy

GIUSEPPE FARINA

ITALY

Giuseppe Farina

SOCIALISE - TELL THE WORLD ABOUT THIS

The Italian pre-war ace was arguably past his best when he won the inaugural world championship in 1950 when a month short of his 44th birthday, although a little age gave the driver who was once grand prix racing's wild man the maturity to win a title.

Alfa Romeo's lead driver in 1950, he fought hard to beat team-mate Juan Manuel Fangio to the 1950 title after winning three of the six world championship grands prix. But the writing was on the wall, and in 1951 he could do nothing about Fangio's speed.

It was a similar story at Ferrari in 1952-1953, when he played second fiddle to Alberto Ascari, although there was a final victory at the age of 47 in the 1953 German Grand Prix before he started to wind down in 1954.

If ever there was a case of the Second World War robbing a driver of his best years, it was Farina.

Giuseppe Farina

YOUR SAY

Should Giuseppe Farina be higher or lower in F1's greatest drivers?

View Results

STATISTICS

Born30 Oct 1906
Died30 Jun 1966
Active years1950 - 1955
Champion1950
Presences34
Starts33
Wins5
Podiums20
Poles5
Front row27
Fastest laps5
Races led14

More stats on FORIX