RIP Jose Froilan Gonzalez.

**Rob** · 15th June 2013, 13:49

He died at the age of 90 years Jose Froilan Gonzalez
The Argentine driver was the first to give a victory to Ferrari in F1 in 1951 at Silverstone
June 15, 2013 15:24

The Formula 1 weeps today an important part of its history, has died at age 90 the Argentine Jose Froilan Gonzalez , the first rider to win a World Championship race at the wheel of a car of Ferrari . After running for several seasons in Argentina, arrived in Europe in the '50s to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Juan Manuel Fangio , becoming a rider Horse in the season 1951 and Silverstone has just brought on the top step of the podium the car that had been entrusted by Enzo Ferrari , then closing the season in third place. After two seasons at Maserati , in which he was not able to savor the taste of victory, he returned to Maranello in 1954, again winning the Grand Prix of Great Britain and closing vice-world champion at the end of year. That same year he also imposed the 24 Hours of Le Mans in tandem with Maurice Trintignant . Later he then made some sporadic appearances in Formula 1 until 1960, but was unable to repeat the exciting results of the early stages of his career.

http://www.omnicorse.it/magazine/283...-ferrari-in-f1

Rest in peace Jose up in the big race track in the sky.

**Mavlanov** · 15th June 2013, 13:55

You will never be forgotten, sir!!! RIP Jose Froilan Gonzalez!!

**JONNY F.2008** · 15th June 2013, 16:46

a long grand life.

forza Froilan

**wisepie** · 15th June 2013, 16:53

Another Ferrari legend moves on, RIP Senor Gonzales y gracias.

**SilverSpeed** · 15th June 2013, 17:44

RIP you legend.

**Greig** · 15th June 2013, 17:47

RIP Jose

**Liscia** · 15th June 2013, 18:15

The first man to win in a Ferrari branded F1 car will always be remembered
and noted by all - for all years to come. My respect and deepest condolences
go to the family he leaves behind as he heads for his final podium. Champagne
is in order for a final toast to one of the legends spawned by our black steed!

**Rob** · 15th June 2013, 18:15

Farewell Cabezon!

Maranello, 15 June –A great friend of Ferrari passed away today, José Froilan Gonzalez died at the age of ninety in his native Buenos Aires. His name will forever be linked to that of the Scuderia; indeed he was the one, who on 14 July at Silverstone, sixty two years ago, took the Prancing Horse’s first victory in a Grand Prix counting towards the Formula 1 World Championship.

“The news of the death of Gonzalez saddened me greatly,” President Luca di Montezemolo told ferrari.com from Maranello where he was attending a day for the families of all the employees of the company. “We had spoken not that long ago, talking about cars and racing, the topics he was most enthusiastic about. Over all these years, he was always very attached to Ferrari and, as a driver and a man, he played an integral part in our history. His death means we have lost a true friend.”

The last meeting between “El Cabezon” and the team with which he was linked above all others in his racing career, took place appositely enough on 10 July two years ago at Silverstone. On that day, Fernando Alonso actually drove the 375 F1 that Gonzalez took to victory in 1951 in the British Grand Prix, an exhibition that had previously taken place back in 2001, when the Argentine driver was there in person to share the pleasure of the moment with Michael Schumacher. A few hours after the more recent demonstration, as if scripted by fate, Fernando won the race, to give the Scuderia its only victory in 2011.

“I only realised what it meant to have won this race on the following Wednesday when I met Don Enzo at Maranello,” said Gonzalez in an interview he gave to our website on the sixtieth anniversary of the Silverstone win. “In his office there was a big photo of the victory right behind his desk! He asked me to sign it and to tell him every last detail about the race and then he gave me a gold watch with the Prancing Horse on the face. Only three days later did I really understand that it was a special win. Ferrari is the top in the world of motoring. For me, it has always been a cause of pride that I managed to take this first win, especially given what the marque went on to achieve in the past sixty years all over the world.”

http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/farewell-cabezon

**Nova** · 15th June 2013, 18:39

"Only three days later did I really understand that it was a special win. Ferrari is the top in the world of motoring. For me, it has always been a cause of pride that I managed to take this first win, especially given what the marque went on to achieve in the past sixty years all over the world."

Amen. RIP Champion.

**Nero Horse** · 15th June 2013, 22:23

R.I.P Great legend...you will live on forever in the hearts and minds of all the Tifosi. Farewell José, and thank you for everything!

**flam147** · 15th June 2013, 22:54

R.I.P true Racing legend

**scuderiafan** · 15th June 2013, 23:45

RIP great man. I imagine he has lived a great great long life. I have probably posted this too many times already, but this was the last time I saw him in an interview. Must have been so interesting.

**tifosi1993** · 16th June 2013, 03:42

R.I.P to a great F1 legend.

**vcs316** · 16th June 2013, 05:30

Jose Froilan Gonzalez, winner of the 1951 British Grand Prix, has died at the age of 90.

José Froilán González, the driver who opened Ferrari's F1 world championship account, has died at the age of 90.

The Argentine, nicknamed the 'Pampas Bull' for his larger-than-life appearance, began racing in 1946, before making his grand prix debut in a Maserati during the 1949 season. He remained with the Italian marque for the inaugural world championship, racing with the Scuderia Achile Varzi team in two rounds, Monaco and France.

The following year, after jumping between Maserati and Talbot machinery for the opening few rounds, he switched to Ferrari, taking the Prancing Horse to its maiden world championship victory at Silverstone, before finishing on the podium in the remaining rounds in Germany, Italy and Spain and finishing third overall in the standings.

Although he remained a regular visitor to the podium, he won just one further world championship event, again at Silverstone, on his way to finishing second overall in 1954. His complete racing record, however, shows that he was a formidable competitor, with 46 wins in 115 outings including the 1954 Le Mans 24 Hours.

After a sporadic relationship with F1, Gonzalez's last world championship appearance came at the 1960 Argentine Grand Prix, but he continued to race regularly in his homeland, and he returned to the scene of his two biggest wins for the 60th anniversary of Ferrari's first victory in July 2011.

His death was reported as being caused by respiratory failure.

**vcs316** · 16th June 2013, 05:42

Jose Froilan Gonzalez wins his and Ferrari's first Formula 1 grand prix at Silverstone in 1951

**fratelliferrari** · 16th June 2013, 05:51

R.I.P. Jose Froilan Gonzalez

**Rishu** · 16th June 2013, 05:59

RIP Jose

**shamim179** · 16th June 2013, 09:21

Wow! He must have looked after his health to live so long. I'm sure memories of his championship were constantly there even into old age.

RIP Gonzalez.