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Happy Birthday Alberto Ascari...Ferrari's first World Champion

Happy Birthday Alberto Ascari...Ferrari's first World Champion

13-07-2018 12:49

Born 100 years ago today, Alberto Ascari went on to become Ferrari's first ever world champion in formula 1. The Italian was crowned champion at his home race in 1952 having won the previous six Grands Prix.

The legend went on to win a second world championship, again at the wheel of the famous red car. His last race in Formula 1 ended in spectacular style.

It was at Monaco, and he was in a Lancia D50. He crashed towards the end of the race, running behind another legend, Sir Stirling Moss. He ran wide, hit the hay bales and drove straight into the harbour. He survived the scary incident, walking away with just a broken nose.

Just four days later, he travelled back to Monza where he won his first World Championship. He offered to test drive a Ferrari sports car.

The test went wrong as the car flipped over and crashed at the Curva del Vialone. Ascari was launched from the car and died in the accident. The Italian was just 36-years-old.

Following the crash, the corner was renamed after him.

Ferrari have won 15 drivers championships since Ascari won the first. The most recent was Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.