F1’s first fatal victim remembered

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While Fangio was heading for another victory at the Nürburgring Grand Prix 60 years ago today, it was also here that the Formula One had its very first fatal victim. Argentinean driver Onofre Marimón, who was Maserati’s team leader at the time crashed his 250F at the 22kms long track and died instantly in the morning of July 31, 1954.

The story goes that Marimón had asked Fangio for advice the day before the practice. Fangio supposedly kindly suggested that the following day, he should follow him around the ‘Ring to learn the master’s lines. Why Marimón went out earlier to practice on his own remains unknown, but fact is that the 30-year old driver crashed on the downhill descent to Adenau Bridge, his car somersaulting in the verge. What’s more: there is film footage taken just after the crash. We have come a long way since. But it’s good not to forget that fateful day of F1’s first fatality.

(Picture courtesy El Grafico magazine)

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