Luigi Fagioli

Italian racing driver

Born: June 9, 1898 · Died: June 20, 1952

Sports

Who was Luigi Fagioli?

Luigi Cristiano Fagioli (Italian pronunciation: [luˈiːdʒi faˈdʒɔːli]; 9 June 1898 – 20 June 1952) was an Italian racing driver, who competed in Grand Prix motor racing from 1928 to 1949, and Formula One from 1950 to 1951. Fagioli is the only Formula One Grand Prix winner born in the 19th century, and the only Grand Prix racing driver to have won a championship race in both the AIACR European Championship and the World Drivers' Championship. He remains the sole Formula One Grand Prix victor born in the 19th century and the only driver to win championship races in both the AIACR European Championship and the post‑war World Drivers' Championship. Born in Turin’s Abruzzo region, Fagioli began his motorsport career in hill‑climb events before moving to international Grand Prix competition, where his longevity allowed him to compete across three decades of automotive development.

Historical significance

Nicknamed "the Abruzzi Robber", Fagioli won the 1951 French Grand Prix with Alfa Romeo aged 53, and remains the oldest driver to win a Formula One Grand Prix. Fagioli was runner-up in the European Drivers' Championship in 1935 with Mercedes. Luigi Fagioli was an Italian Grand Prix and Formula One driver who raced professionally from 1928 through 1951, competing for manufacturers such as Alfa Romeo, Mercedes, and Maserati across pre‑war and post‑war eras. He earned the nickname “the Abruzzi Robber” for his aggressive style, and at age 53 he secured victory at the 1951 French Grand Prix, a record that still makes him the oldest Formula One Grand Prix winner. Fagioli’s most notable triumph came in the 1951 French Grand Prix driving an Alfa Romeo 158; earlier, he finished second in the 1935 European Drivers' Championship while piloting a Mercedes-Benz W25.

Life and career timeline: Luigi Fagioli

1898 Luigi Fagioli born in Italy
1928 Begins competing in Grand Prix motor racing
1935 Finishes runner up in the European Drivers Championship with Mercedes
1949 Ends Grand Prix racing career
1950 Starts Formula One career
1951 Wins French Grand Prix for Alfa Romeo at age 53
1952 Luigi Fagioli dies in Italy

Related on thisDay

How did Nino Farina become the first F1 World Champion?

Nino Farina won the 1950 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, becoming the first Formula One World Drivers' Champion in his home country.

Sources and further reading

Use the dated article for the day-specific account; use these references to check the event record and explore its wider historical context.

Date article: How did Nino Farina become the first F1 World Champion?Wikipedia source

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MLA

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APA

Luigi Fagioli. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/luigi-fagioli/

Chicago

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