Created by British Petroleum, and RHR Productions / Ronald H. Riley, this film “Tribute to…Fangio!” is a love letter to Juan Manuel Fangio (1911 – 1995), an Argentine race car driver. Fangio was also known by the nickname El Chueco (“the bowlegged” or “bandy legged one”) or El Maestro (“The Master” or “The Teacher”). He dominated the first decade of Formula One racing, winning the World Drivers’ Championship five times. He holds the highest winning percentage in Formula 1; 46.15%. Fangio is also the only Argentine to have won the Argentine Grand Prix.

The film begins at the Infamous racetrack known as Spa in Stavelot, Belgium (:45) followed by picturesque terraces in Monaco (:55) as race cars whiz by. The Reims-Gueux’s motor raceway follows, established in 1926 (1:01). The winding roads of the Nürburgring racetrack in the town of Nürburg , Germany (1:07). Fangio takes a solo ride around the track (1:12). His wife; Andrea Berruet (1:53) enjoys refreshments at a patio table. A brief history of his race car career begins with his first professional drive in 1934 (2:04). A photo depicts his ride at the Reims-Gueux track in 1948 (2:15). Fangio’s rise to fame began in 1949 when he returned to Europe and won the opening race of the European season (2:27). Ferrari, Gordini and Maserati all participated in this race (2:43). The film moves forward to 1950 (2:57) and into Monaco as Fangio scored one of his eight victories of that year. Nine cars crashed and piled up after the first lap as the mess is seen pulled apart by race track employees (3:06). Fangio appears at 39 as he takes his trophy for his win (3:14). King George VI and Queen Elizabeth arrive at the Royal Silverstone racetrack in 1950 (3:22). In 1951, Fangio took the title of Champion Driver of the World (3:39) at the British Grand Prix. Here the Alfas were first defeated by Ferrari (3:49). Fangio steps to the winner’s circle (4:02). Fangio competed in the Italian Grand Prix in 1952 (4:08). As Alfa Romeo had by now withdrawn from racing, Fangio signed with BRM (4:16) though he later switched to a Maserati to drive in this race (4:21). His vehicle is shown crashed into trees (4:36) and the injuries sustained here kept him from racing for the rest of the year. He returned in 1953 to the Mille Miglia race track (4:55) with an Alfa Romeo. He is seen in Bologna driving through the track with one of the most challenging hill climbs in Europe (5:46). Fangio appears in the winner’s circle again (5:56). Fangio and rival Michael Hawthorn race (6:41) at 150 mph. Hawthorn after taking the win (6:55). The British Grand Prix at Silverstone took place two weeks later (7:00) with Hawthorn taking a spin on the second lap (7:21). The Italian Grand Prix of the same year follows (7:35) with Nino Farina, Luigi Villoresi, Alberto Ascari and Onofre Marimon. Fangio is seen crossing the finish line of his first major victory (8:04). He later completed his season in Mexico (8:18) for the Panamerican Race. His teammate; Felice Bonetto perished in this race. He then drove a Mercedes Benz for the French Grand Prix (8:42) and on the Nurbugring track (9:37). He is seen mourning the death of Marimon while accepting his trophy here (9:51). The Swiss Grand prix (10:02) and the Italian Grand Prix of 1954 follow (10:09). The Mercedes-Benz factory at Stuttgart (10:20) hosts an honors ceremony for the World Champion. The team added a member in 1955; Stirling Moss (10:40). Moss and Fangio ride around the circuit at Spa (10:46). At the Italian Grand Prix, he took the title of Champion Driver of the World for the third time (11:25). He is shown in 1956 among the Ferrari team (11:32) as he takes another win for the British Grand Prix (11:51). Fangio was later kidnapped in Cuba (12:42) in February of 1958 by Castro’s rebels. 1957 was to be his last full season in motor racing (13:04). The famed driver is shown taking a test drive of his Maserati at Modena Autodrome (13:13). The film returns to Monaco (16:36) with a multiple car pile up. Fangio takes the win (16:58). The most important race of his career was to be the German Grand Prix of 1957 (17:09). Fangio is seen taking the lead (17:42), moving into the pits for a wheel change (17:52) and taking the win here again (19:14). Fangio with his prize for the title of Driver of the Year (19:27). He retired in 1958 (19:39). Fangio bids farewell at the Italian Grand Prix (19:53). The International Drivers Union (20:25) pays tribute.

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com