Alberto Ascari

Biography of Alberto Ascari

One of the original legends of F1, Alberto Ascari still holds one of the most staggering records in the sport.

The Italian won 13 of his 33 entries in F1, including nine in a row between the Belgian Grands Prix in 1952 and 1953, a consecutive run of race wins matched only by Sebastian Vettel.

Ascari spent his full-time F1 career with Ferrari before a late move to Lancia and Maserati on a part-time basis in 1954 and 1955, with his untimely death cutting short the career of one of the finest drivers in the sport's history.

A first race win came at the German Grand Prix in 1951, with a follow-up at his home race helping on his way to second in the championship.

His dominance over the next two seasons would earn him two world titles before a dispute with Ferrari would see ties cut at the end of 1953.

Lancia was not ready for 1954, with Ascari taking part in two of the first three races with Maserati. In his final F1 race in 1955, Ascari infamously crashed into the Monte Carlo harbour after misjudging his entry speed at the chicane, miraculously escaping with only a broken nose.

Ascari's luck ran out whilst testing a Ferrari sportscar ahead of the Monza 1000km, crashing at the corner which is now a chicane named in his honour.

With 17 podiums in total, 14 pole positions and 12 fastest laps during his tragically short stint in the sport, Ascari is undoubtedly a legend of F1.