Which Argentine driver won five Formula One World Drivers' Championships in the 1950s?

Juan Manuel Fangio was the Argentine driver who won five Formula One World Drivers’ Championships in the 1950s.

Fangio won his titles in 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956 and 1957. His championships came with Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari and Maserati, making him the only driver at the time to win titles with four different teams. His 1954 championship was unusual because he began the season with Maserati before switching to Mercedes-Benz when its W196 was ready.

Fangio’s final title came in 1957 with Maserati. At the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, he recovered from a long pit stop and set a series of exceptionally fast laps to catch and pass the leading Ferraris. That drive is often remembered as one of the greatest in Formula One history.

His record of five championships stood for 46 years, until Michael Schumacher won a sixth title in 2003. Fangio also won 24 World Championship Grands Prix from 52 entries and remains one of the sport’s most celebrated early champions.