Formula 1 Retrospective: 1953 French Grand Prix
Briton Mike Hawthorn (Ferrari) and Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio (Maserati, 18, right) In Fierce Hand-to-Hand Combat at Reims in 1953.
1953 RACE 5
Reims, France
5 July, Fortieth Grand Prix de l’Automobile Club de France
Reims-Gueux
P1 Grid: A. Ascari, ITA, Ferrari Tipo 500 2.0 liter inline four. Pirelli (10th, career).
J.F. Gonzalez (Maserati) wins the start.
J.M. Fangio (Maserati) assumes the lead at Lap 30 with a pass.
M. Hawthorn (Ferrari) assumes the lead at Lap 32 with a pass.
Fangio assumes the lead at Lap 35 with a pass.
Hawthorn assumes the lead at Lap 38 with a pass.
Fangio assumes the lead at Lap 39 with a pass.
Hawthorn assumes the lead at Lap 42 with a pass.
Fangio assumes the lead at Lap 45 with a pass.
Hawthorn assumes the lead at Lap 48 with a pass.
Fangio assumes the lead at Lap 49 with a pass.
Hawthorn assumes the lead at Lap 54 with a pass.
Fangio assumes the lead at Lap 55 with a pass.
Hawthorn assumes the lead at Lap 57 with a pass and drives on to victory.
In a remarkable wheel-to-wheel Grand Prix duel for the ages, Maserati and Ferrari wage an epic battle between drivers Juan Manuel Fangio and Briton Michael Hawthorn. Commencing on Lap 30, both drivers initiate a side-by-side donnybrook that involves alternating passes of each other on the final corner at Reims before the home straight. Hawthorn, taking his mark on the famed Argentine, makes his decisive move for the point with only three laps remaining and then bravely holds off hard charging Fangio by a breathtaking five meter margin. An ecstatic Hawthorn, the standing champion at Le Mans for Jaguar claimed just one week prior, earns both his maiden Formula 1 victory as well as the first driver triumph for Great Britain.
1. Hawthorn, GBR, Scuderia Ferrari, Ferrari Tipo 500 2.0 liter inline four. Pirelli (maiden, career).
2. Fangio, ARG, Officine Alfieri Maserati, -1.0 sec.
3. Gonzalez, ARG, Officine Alfieri Maserati.
Constructor Victor: Scuderia Ferrari (14).
Engine Victor: Scuderia Ferrari (14).
Championship
A. Ascari-ITA 28, M. Hawthorn-GBR 14, L. Villoresi-ITA 13.
Scuderia Ferrari 64, Officine Alfieri Maserati 26, Keck-Kurtis Kraft 9.
