Luigi Fagioli

Interesting facts

Luigi Fagioli earned the nickname "the Abruzzi Robber" for his aggressive driving style. At the 1951 French Grand Prix, aged 53, he was ordered by his team to hand his well-running car over to Fangio, whose own car had engine trouble - he went on to win anyway, making him the oldest Grand Prix winner in history, a record that still stands. His rivalry with teammate Rudolf Caracciola grew so heated that it boiled over into a physical altercation at the Tripoli Grand Prix. In 1952, he crashed his Lancia in a tunnel during practice for the Monaco Grand Prix - his injuries seemed minor at first, but he died of them three weeks later in a Monte Carlo hospital. He remains the only Formula One race winner ever born in the 19th century. Luigi Fagioli made his Formula 1 debut in 1950 and raced until 1951, 2 seasons in total as an Italian driver. He scored a total of 28 championship points over his career. His best season was 1950, when he finished 3rd in the championship with 24 points.