Jose Froilan Gonzalez, our last hero.

Argentine driver Jose Froilan Gonzalez, died at age 90. He was the first to give a victory to Ferrari in Formula 1. And the only Argentine to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Along with Juan Manuel Fangio, Clemar Bucci and others, Froilan joined the "mission" of Argentine drivers that started running in Europe in the '50s.

He debuted in Formula 1 during the 1950 Monaco GP, with a Maserati. He raced in 26 Grand Prix for nine seasons. He managed to achieve two wins and eleven podiums. In 1954 he was runner-up in Formula 1 behind his lifelong friend and best man, JM Fangio. Known as "El Cabezon" (Big Head), "The Bull of the Pampas" or simply "The Big Joe", Froilan Gonzalez came to know in life the love and recognition of car fans around the world. In Maranello, home of Ferrari, his presence was considered with highest honors, in eternal gratitude for their first win in Formula 1, Silverstone '51.

His health was delicate, the product of a pacemaker that forced him to take care in his last days. In recent months, he was hospitalized several times ( Read this ), but he took the time to record a video with greetings for his followers. For those who were touched by his deeds and had the honor of meeting, Froilan's departure is a sad story, but also a relief: for once in Argentina, one of our heros did not died on a race track, and he had the chance to feel how everyone loved him.

We had the chance to interview him more than one occasion. Here are some highlights of his timeless anecdotes:

How do you remember that win at Silverstone in 1951?
It was an important win for both Ferrari and me. July 14, 1951 was a date that we never forget, neither I nor Enzo Ferrari. I had a very pleasant relationship with the Commendatore. I was the only driver that did not had a fight with him...and take a look at how many drivers raced for Ferrari! I already told you this story: I always got along with him because I never liked to discuss. I always tried to work for the Team, my goal was to make Enzo happy. Some drivers were angry at me for that. They were always complaining at the team meetings. They were very critical about the cars. After listening to all, Don Enzo asked: 'Froilan, what do you have to say?' And I said: 'Commendatore, for me everything is fine, no problem'.The other guys wanted to kill me! I remember Villoressi, Alberto Ascari and Luigi became mad.

How did you meet Enzo Ferrari?
It was in early 1951, during the GP of Argentina. Back then i ran a Maserati, but I had the chance to meet the Commendatore and told him that if he ever needed my services he should let me know. I recall that the start of that season was a very bad one for Ferrari, with many wrecked cars and too many drivers injured. After a few months he sent a kind of "secret" message to see if I wanted to race their cars. I left the Maserati team, left everything! and went to Maranello. So it all started.

Do you still watch F1 races?
Yes, of course, i love Formula 1 (and Ferrari). These last years were quite difficult because there is nothing to do with the RedBull team up there, but luckily we have two excellent drivers, Alonso and Massa. Fernando Alonso is a "Fenomeno!". Let's see what happens in this 2013 season.

Froilan, tell me about the differences of you era compared to the modern one
Imagine this: in the 50s and 60s almost half of the Formula 1 paddock was killed at action. Today we have an advanced security and is very difficult for a driver to get suffer a death like the old days. They changed the cars and circuits. Imagine that in England we used to race in only three circuits. They were abandoned runaways of WW2. This three road courses were Silverstone, Donington and Goodwood. Today the circuits changed a lot, Silverstone is now one of the best tracks out there, a little boring layout for the purpose of a show but a great one to see from the cockpit. The day I won that race at Silverstone it was all very precarious, imagine that the place of the paddock in which the Queen was sitting, fall apart during the awards celebration.

What do you recall of the victory at Le Mans in 1954?
We had many problems with the rain that night. It was a terrible race. Two drivers were killed, but God helped me because a couple of times I found myself by the roadside. When Trintignant handed me the car two hours from the end we were two laps ahead. When I got to the Ferrari, the engine would not start. The mechanics took a while to discover that they had "wet" behind the two magnets, because Trintignant had forgotten to close the air intake when it started raining. I left with only 40 seconds ahead of the Jaguar and almost no brakes. I made a thousand "firuletes" to manage that evil car, but I manged to stay on the top till the end.


How do you feel about Schumacher
Besides being a good pilot is complete as a person. It is very "familiero" (a family guy), he does not smoke, does not drink, he does his workout, walks seven miles a day, running, playing soccer, skiing ... Do not forget that in Formula 1, in my time and nowadays, we had drivers who like to drink, smoke and those who are mad about the easygirls.

Do you still drive?
Yes, every day I come to the office driving, but the traffic in Buenos Aires is a mess, its a metropolis like Paris.

How do you feel about the tributes that the fans make to you worldwide? For me it's a thrill to find that kind of friends. What else can I say? I am very happy and this are very special days for me. As the years go by and I receive all these tributes, you feel something very strong in the heart. I get love from all over the world. Of all the countriesi receive mails and gifts and letters of congratulations. You know that the Ferrari fans are phenomenal, is a passion that can only be compared with what they feel the fans of RiverPlate or BocaJuniors (Argentine greatest football teams, like Manchester vs Liverpool).

This is Froilan with his "Rosso" Passport of Ferrari. He was the only person with a Rosso Passport besides Enzo Ferrari, this is a passport that granted him clearence to access every part of the Ferrari Factory, including design offices. It was a tribute from Enzo to Froilan, the most valuable gift for the most gratefull Ferrari driver.









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