Formula 1’s First Grand Prix Victim

A Career Cut Short

Onofre Marimón was a rising star on the Grand Prix circuit when he became the first driver to die at a Formula One Grand Prix event. Here’s the story of Marimón’s rise to fame in Argentina and the waves he made in the European racing scene, until a bit of daring led to a tragic end.

Runs In The Family

Onofre Marimón was born in 1923 into the world of auto racing. At the age of 13, he reputedly snuck his father’s two-seater out of the garage and took it for a spin—a very fast spin. When he returned home, he bragged about his feat to his mother, who proceeded to smash a dish on his head.

Onofre Marimon, Grand Prix Of France Bernard Cahier, Getty Images

Like Father, Like Son

His father, an undertaker and racing enthusiast, was apparently more encouraging. Domingo Marimón had driven in many Turismo Carretera races, including the 1948 Gran Premio America, covering 5,950 miles (9,576 km) from Caracas to Buenos Aires. But his son’s time would soon come.

F1 driver Domingo Marimón 1950 El Gráfico, Wikimedia Commons

Early Victory

Just a year later, Domingo fractured his collarbone, so 26-year-old Onofre took his father’s 1939 Chevrolet and dove into the Mar del Plata endurance race. Six laps and 536 miles (864 km) later, he and fellow driver Gabriel Braulio Ortega won, averaging 74 miles per hour (118 km/h).

Onofre Marimon, Grand Prix Of Italy Bernard Cahier, Getty Images

Signs Of Danger

This was a tremendous victory for Marimón in his very first race, but there were plenty of reminders of how dangerous the sport could be. Of 94 cars at the start, only 28 finished—and death struck on the very first lap when Matías Fernández drove off the road and overturned.

Onofre Marimon, Gianni Lancia, Grand Prix Of France Bernard Cahier, Getty Images

Teammate And Friend

But things were looking up for Marimón. Not only had he come first at Mar del Plata, he came in second at La Cumbre, a race won by famed racer José Froilán González, who would soon be a teammate and friend, and who’d beat Onofre to the European Grand Prix scene by a year.

José Froilán González 1950 Unknown Artist, Wikimedia Commons

Another Victory

Before a race the next year, Domingo said whoever was faster in practice would drive his car. Onofre beat his dad’s time, earned pole position, and then won the race—one of seven victories in 1950. And only engine trouble foiled likely victory against Juan Gálvez at Vuelta de Córdoba.

F1 cars from the '50s Nationaal Archief, Picryl

Across The Ocean

The next season saw Marimón win La Cumbre, and do well in other Argentine races, but Marimón’s sights were set far away. His father’s friend and fellow driver Juan Manuel Fangio had promised to mentor the son, paving the way for Onofre’s bittersweet European debut.

F1 driver Juan Manuel Fangio Bjørn Fjortoft, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Racers Reunited

Marimón entered the 1951 Le Mans, a grueling stock-car competition so long that getting to the finish line required a driving partner. Marimón teamed up with the man who’d kept him from first place just two years before, José Froilán González. But a radiator burst their chances after 128 laps.

A scene at Le Mans prior to the disaster Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

World Championship Debut And Disappointment

Just a week later came another chance—at Marimón’s first-ever World Championship race. The eager driver piloted a Maserati 4CLT-50 at Reims, but sadly, its motor conked out, and with it Marimón’s path to victory. But fellow Argentines Fangio and González came in first and second.

A scene at Le Mans prior to the disaster Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

On The Sidelines

Marimón joined his great friends Fangio and González at the British Grand Prix, though only as a spectator. González’s Ferrari and Fangio’s Alfa Romeo came in first and second respectively. Later in 1951, Marimón came in eighth at a Modena Formula Two race, marred by pit delays.

A scene at Le Mans prior to the disaster Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Mixed Tally

So, by the time Marimón returned to his homeland that year, he’d started to make a name for himself, but hadn’t captured any crowns. There was potential, but results were still mixed. In 1952, he was back in his dad’s Chevy for the Mecánica Nacional, but he didn’t quite win it.

A Scene At Le Mans Prior To The Disaster Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Making Plans

Marimón also had a wife and two children to support. Staying in Argentina for most of 1952, he prepared for the next phase of his European career, and opened a car dealership. He was also known to give books and toys to children of his town when he came back from his travels.

A Scene At Le Mans Prior To The Disaster Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Europe Calls

Marimón ended the season at the Gran Premio de Montevideo, but finished only sixth in a Ferrari 125. Then, in 1953, he joined a non-championship race at the Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires. But he came in only tenth in a Ferrari 166 F2. However, Europe still beckoned.

F2 race cars Evers, Joost, Picryl

Tests Of Endurance

Marimón faced tests of endurance once back in Europe, and it was the machines that couldn’t endure. Like the name suggests, Mille Miglia was an Italian race that ran 1,000 miles (1,609 km). But the Alfa Romeo 1900TI he and Gianfranco Moroni drove never made it to the end.

Mille Miglia Ferrari 340 Sn0280Am Marzotto Crosara Unknown Artist, Wikimedia Commons

Another Disappointment

Next was the 24-hour Le Mans, judged on distance covered in a day, favoring durable and reliable cars. Driving partner Fangio managed just 22 laps in an Alfa Romeo 63 3000CM before engine trouble cut them short. Marimón hadn’t even had a chance behind the steering wheel.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Fangiosala race car Unknown Artist, Wikimedia Commons

Maserati Debut

But Fangio had convinced Maserati to take Marimón on board, at least as a test. His first Grand Prix with the team took place at Spa, just a week after that disappointing race at Le Mans. At practice, teammates Fangio and González came in first and third, with Marimón back in sixth.

Ferrari 375 F1 race car in Monza. Wikimedia Commons, Picryl

Teammate Trouble

On race day, González quickly took the lead, but on the 11th lap, his gas pedal broke, putting him out of action. Fangio’s engine then conked out, but the driver switched cars and got back into the race. Meanwhile, Marimón sped into third place, then second—but it looked like trouble was about to strike.

A scene at Le Mans prior to the disaster Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Pushing On

It looked to Marimón that his motor would conk out. He pulled into the pits, but was ordered to get back into the race and push on. In the final lap, Marimón’s chance at a podium position seemed in doubt as three cars were ahead of him. But trouble struck teammate Fangio again.

1951-09-16 Monza Winner Ferrari 375 Ascari Wikimedia Commons, Picryl

At The Podium

Fangio was in second place when his steering gave out, sending him crashing into a ditch. Fortunately, he wasn’t seriously injured, but with him out of action, Marimón was able to cross the finish line in third place. Maserati was impressed, and signed him up for the rest of the year.

1936 Mille Miglia winners Brivio e Ongaro in Alfa Romeo 8C 2900A Unknown Artist, Wikimedia Commons

Sad News From America

In between Mille Miglia and Le Mans came news that Chet Miller had died during a practice run at the Indianapolis 500, the first fatality at a World Drivers’ Championship event. But at that point, no driver had died at a Grand Prix competition. That record would soon be sadly broken.

People gathering at a circuit Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Speed Bumps Ahead

The rough year continued with more bad luck, including an accident at a non-championship race and an engine running too hot at the Nürburgring 1,000-km race, forcing him and Emilio Giletti to withdraw their Maserati A6GCS—frustrating as they’d reached second place on some laps.

1952-09-14 Sardo Winner Ferrari 166 0046M Giletti Unknown Artist, Wikimedia Commons

Monza Mess

At the Italian Grand Prix, Marimón drove a Maserati A6GCM, just behind a battling trio including Fangio, but his oil radiator broke down on the 46th lap. He spent eight minutes at the pits and lost three laps. Then he had an accident with five laps to go, forcing him off the Monza track.

A vintage Maserati A6GCS racing car Wikimedia Commons, Picryl

Year-End Review

But 1953 ended on relatively good terms. At Modena’s Aeroautodromo, Marimón ended up second to teammate and friend Fangio. As he traveled back to Argentina, he could reflect on a frustrating but busy year, and might have hoped for better in 1954—not realizing that year would be his last.

Aerautodromo Di Modena ciruit Unknown Artist, Wikimedia Commons

Not A Good Start

Marimón was still in Argentina when 1954 began, competing in the Argentinian Grand Prix, but not for long. He was in an accident on the fifth lap, and withdrew his Ferrari 250F. At the non-championship Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires, he bowed out in the fourth lap.

1950 Modena Grand Prix Unknown Artist, Wikimedia Commons

Back In Europe

Marimón made his way to Europe and competed in four non-championship races, where he won the Gran Premio di Roma—following races where he came in fourth and fifth, or retired due to suspension problems. Now it was time for his second Grand Prix of the year, this one at Spa.

1957 Mille Miglia winners Ferrari 315 Taruffi Unknown Artist, Wikimedia Commons

Foiled Again

Though he qualified fourth—after Fangio, González, and Italy’s Giuseppe Farina—Marimón dropped out after only three laps, his car’s engine giving up the ghost. Then he tackled another test of endurance, this time at the Gran Premio Supercortemaggiore and its 1,000-km circuit.

A Scene At Le Mans Prior To The Disaster Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Broken Hopes

Paired with Fangio, the two were in second position when trouble struck on the 152nd lap of the Monza track. The rear axle of their Maserati 250S/6C broke, ending their promising effort. In July of 1954 it was back to Grand Prix races, starting with the French Grand Prix at Reims.

Luigi Musso in Maserati A6GCS at 1955 Mille Miglia Wikimedia Commons, Picryl

More Trouble

Marimón had qualified fifth on the Reims track, and managed to get into fourth place early on. But his car’s engine misfired, and time in the pits cost him dearly. Then he had to retire by lap 27 due to a gearbox acting up. Next would be the British Grand Prix, but bad luck struck again.

A Maserati A6GCS/53 racing car participates in the 1955 Mille Miglia race. Wikimedia Commons, Picryl

Coming From Behind

Due to a mix-up, Marimón’s car was sent to the wrong port. Robbed of qualifying time, Marimón had to start at the back of the pack at Silverstone. Through sheer force of will and his prodigious skill, he managed to get close to the lead, finishing third in a race that was won by González.

A vintage Ferrari racing car Wikimedia Commons, Picryl

Feeling Too Slow

Two weeks later, it was time for the German Grand Prix at the challenging Nürburgring race course. Marimón felt he was too slow during Friday practice. He asked his friend, mentor, and teammate Fangio what to do. Fangio suggested the two could drive the track together.

1950s racing car Agridecumantes, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Heading Out Alone

It was Saturday morning, the end of July, and a cloudy sky threatened a rainstorm. Marimón wanted to drive on a dry track, so he decided to head off without Fangio. Domingo, who was helping man the pits, told reporters later his son had vowed to cover a lap in under 10 minutes.

A Scene at Le Mans prior to the disaster Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Out Of Time

Domingo was timing his son, as he so often did. The 10 minutes came and went. There was no Onofre. “I had a sense of foreboding,” the father would later recount. He would soon learn the horrible news: His son’s car had plunged through a roadside bush and careened down a slope.

Gino Valenzano in Maserati at Trieste-Opicina Wikimedia Commons, Picryl

Tragedy Strikes

The Maserati 250F eventually stopped rolling, but it was upside down. Rescuers reached the car and freed Marimón, but it was too late. A priest who happened to be in the area came over and administered last rites. González arrived on the scene and felt even more disturbed.

Fangio & Maserati 250F Maserati, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Wrong Gear

The fellow Argentinian noticed the Maserati was stuck in fourth gear, and it was a “third gear” kind of corner that Marimón had failed to navigate. As Marimón was approaching the Adenau bridge, he must have been so determined to beat 10 minutes, he pushed just a bit too hard.

A vintage Ferrari 375 being tested at Karlskoga in 1956. Wikimedia Commons, Picryl

Sad Victory

González drove back to the pits, and broke down as he and Fangio consoled each other. The race would still go on, with Fangio winning the next day. Meanwhile, the body of 30-year-old Onofre Agustín Marimón would make its final journey to the young driver’s grieving homeland.

A Ferrari 166 MM racing car is depicted during the Susa-Moncenisio race. Wikimedia Commons, Picryl

The Final Finish

It was eventually surmised that a braking unit in Marimón’s car had been the mechanical cause of his death. Marimón, who as a child had been nicknamed “Pinocho” by a cousin, was buried in his hometown of Cosquín, Córdoba, Argentina. A large crowd turned out for his funeral.

Checking the tires Nationaal Archief, Picryl

Early Promise Cut Short

A driver of great potential, Marimón started in 11 Grand Prix over his short career, winning two podium results and accumulating eight championship points. The Argentinian showed deftness on the race track, and inspired his countrymen, who even today think of him fondly.

A vintage Maserati A6GCS racing car Wikimedia Commons, Picryl

Deadly Daring

It was dangerous in the early years, even decades, of Formula One racing. Onofre Marimón’s tragic fate came not from a collision, nor even from an actual race, but from a practice run where the daring driver tried out a stretch of track without his mentor—a decision that proved all too deadly.