Luigi Fagioli

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Luigi Fagioli (born 9 June 1898 in Osimo, died 18 June 1951 in Spa) was an Italian racing driver who competed in Formula 1 from 1950 to 1951. An accomplished pre-War driver for both Mercedes and Auto Union, he notably won the Monaco, Spanish and Italian Grands Prix in the 1930s. After the War, he entered a handful of races in private machinery before being signed to the factory Maserati team for the 1950 Formula One season. He finished fifth in the 1950 British Grand Prix, but when Maserati pulled out of the sport at the end of the year, Fagioli was out of a drive.

In 1951, he found a steady drive with the new Scuderia Platé-Varzi, who had acquired most of Maserati's cars. His first race for the team, the 1951 Belgian Grand Prix, would be his last. On the sixth lap of the race, Fagioli skidded on oil at Burnenville and slid into an earth bank, the Maserati subsequently rolling twice. Taken to hospital in Heusy, Fagioli died shortly before 4am the day following the race from massive head and chest injuries at the age of 53. Fagioli was the first driver to die during a world championship event, less than a month before Yves Giraud-Cabantous suffered the same fate.

Complete Alternate Formula One results

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 WDC Pts.
1950 Officine Alfieri Maserati Maserati 4CLT/48 Maserati 4CLT 1.5 L4s GBR
5
MON
Ret
500
DNQ
SUI
19
BEL
Ret
FRA
Ret
ITA
Ret
19th 2
1951 Scuderia Platé-Varzi Maserati 4CL Maserati 4CL 1.5 L4s MON 500 BEL
Ret
FRA GBR GER NED ITA NC 0