Argentina has produced several top Formula One drivers over the years, but a few stands out as the very best. F1 blast team decided to take a look at all the 25 F1 drivers from Argentine and compile the ranking of the top 5 Argentinian F1 drivers of all time.
1. Juan Manuel Fangio
Without a doubt, Juan Manuel Fangio is the greatest Argentinian F1 driver in history. Nicknamed “El Chueco” (the bow-legged one), Fangio won the F1 World Championship an incredible 5 times in the 1950s – a record that stood for nearly 50 years until Michael Schumacher finally surpassed it in 2003.
Fangio won 24 of the 52 F1 races he entered, giving him an astonishing winning percentage of 46% – a feat that is unlikely to ever be matched. He clinched world titles in 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956 and 1957, making him F1’s most dominant driver of the 1950s.
Not only was Fangio successful, but he was also admired for his sportsmanship and gentlemanly racing style. According to many experts and fellow drivers, he is one of the greatest racing car drivers of all time, if not the greatest. It’s no wonder he’s regarded as a national hero in Argentina.
2. Carlos Reutemann
After Fangio’s era, the next driver to be considered one of the best Argentinian F1 drivers that made a big impact in Formula One was Carlos Reutemann. Nicknamed “Lole”, Reutemann raced in F1 from 1972 to 1982, notching up 12 Grand Prix wins with Brabham, Ferrari and Williams.
Reutemann’s best season was in 1981 when he finished runner-up in the championship, pipped to the title by Nelson Piquet in the final race. He perhaps could have been world champion if Williams had backed him fully over his teammate Alan Jones. Despite numerous podium finishes and 12 Grand Prix wins, Carlos Reutemann never managed to put enough good results in a season to become a champion. However, he is considered one of the best F1 drivers not to win a World Drivers Championship.
In 146 Grand Prix starts, Reutemann secured 45 podium finishes and six pole positions. Respected as a quick and consistent driver, he cemented his reputation as Argentina’s next great F1 driver after Fangio.
3. José Froilán González
The first man to win a race for Ferrari, José Froilán González was one of the best Argentinian F1 drivers during the early 1950s. With his large frame and muscular build, he earned the nicknames “El Cabezon” (fat head) and the “Pampas Bull”.
González recorded only two Grand Prix victories – the 1951 British Grand Prix on Silverstone for Ferrari and the 1954 British Grand Prix driving a Ferrari L4. José Froilán González also scored 13 other podium finishes, including taking the lowest step 6 times, and taking second position on 7 occasions. However, he was considered one of Fangio’s main rivals and likely would have won more if he raced full seasons instead of competing in selected events. He took 3rd in the World Drivers Championship in 1951, and 2nd in the 1954 season. Despite
Renowned for his aggressiveness behind the wheel, González trail blazed the way for the next generation of South American racers. He showed that drivers from Argentina could compete at the pinnacle of motorsport.
4. Onofre Marimón
One of the the first Argentine drivers to compete in Formula One, Onofre Marimón raced between 1951 and 1954 before losing his life in a crash at the infamous Nürburgring circuit. Driving for the works Maserati team, he scored a total of 8 and 1/7th of Championship Points.
Marimón’s best result came in 1953 when he finished third at the Belgium Grand Prix. The next year, he managed to replicate his best finish, taking the lowest step of the podium at the 1954 British Grand Prix. Sadly, this was his last race before tragically dying at the 1954 German Grand Prix.
Despite his short career, Marimón paved the way not only for his fellow countrymen like Fangio and González, but also put Argentina on the Grand Prix racing map.
5. Carlos Menditeguy
Driving for small privateers teams like Scuderia Sud Americana and Officine Alfieri Maserati, Menditeguy lacked the competitive machinery needed to make an impact. However, he managed to secure a 3rd place in his home Grand Prix at the 1957 Argentine Grand Prix and then scored points on two other occasions. He scored a total of 9 points in 10 races, which is an overall great result.
While not a front-runner, Menditeguy proudly carried Argentina’s racing heritage into a new era of Formula One technology and professionalism.
The Best of the Rest
Besides the drivers detailed above, 20 other racers from Argentina have participated in Formula One. However, none of them ever managed to finish on the podium or score championship points.
Some names like Roberto Mieres, Norberto Fontana and Esteban Tuero ring vague bells for long-time F1 fans. But ultimately their careers were short-lived and unsuccessful compared to their legendary countrymen.
Argentina’s impact on F1 has been defined by its world-beating champions like Fangio rather than its backmarkers. But even the minor names helped grow the sport locally and demonstrate that Argentines could compete with the best.
Conclusion
When ranking the best Argentinian F1 drivers in history, Juan Manuel Fangio stands in a class of his own having won 5 championships in the 1950s. Carlos Reutemann established himself as Argentina’s next great Formula One driver with 12 wins between 1972 and 1982.
Lesser names like José Froilán González and Onofre Marimón also left their mark on the sport, winning races and pioneering Argentina’s early presence in Grand Prix racing.
So while not all Argentinian racers achieved success, a select few like Fangio put their country firmly on the global motor racing radar. Their passion, skill and determination serves as an inspiration for future generations of drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many F1 drivers have come from Argentina?
Argentina has produced a total of 25 Formula One drivers.
How many races have Argentinian F1 drivers won?
Argentinian F1 drivers have collectively won 38 races, with Juan Manuel Fangio alone securing 24 victories, Carlos Reutemann winning 12, and José Froilán González winning 2 races.
Who is considered the best F1 Driver from Argentine of all time?
Juan Manuel Fangio is widely regarded as the best Argentinian F1 driver of all time, having won 5 World Championships in the 1950s and achieving a remarkable winning percentage of 46%.
