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Formula One's first ever race winner and world champion would turn 110 years old if he was still around today.
Giuseppe Farina was born on 30th October 1906 in Turin, Italy. He became a Doctor of Political Science and entered the army, only to leave that post to go for something which meant much more to him: motor racing.
Farina's style was unique and many voiced their appreciation of his intelligence. However, one aspect of his career that still lingers over him is his accident filled seasons and his disregard for fellow drivers. He was involved in two fatal accidents, one in 1936 and the second in 1938.
Despite this, people mostly remember him as the first ever world champion, when the first World Drivers Championship was established in 1950. Of course, Formula One racing was around before this, but with no recognised structure.
Farina won 3 of the 7 races in 1950 and was crowned champion. He was 44 years old.
Farina competed in 33 Grand Prix, taking 5 wins and 20 podiums. He retired from Formula One in 1957 after team-mate and friend Keith Andrews was killed in his car doing a test run at the Indianapolis 500.
Farina then became an ambassador for Alfa Romeo and Jaguar. While traveling to the 1966 French Grand Prix, Farina lost control of his Lotus Cortina and was killed after hitting a telegraph pole.
Farina has been and will be remembered as a Formula One legend due to his maiden victory and championship, and he will forever be embedded in the roots of our glorious sport.
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G. Zhou
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