José Froilán González


José Froilán González was an Argentine racing driver who competed in Formula One between and. Nicknamed "the Pampas Bull" and "el Cabezón", González was runner-up in the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in with Ferrari, and won two Grands Prix across nine seasons. In endurance racing, González won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in, also with Ferrari.
González, who was a close friend of Juan Manuel Fangio and Roberto Mieres, among others, is particularly notable for scoring Ferrari's first win in a Formula One World Championship race at the 1951 British Grand Prix. He made his Formula One debut for Scuderia Achille Varzi in the 1950 Monaco Grand Prix. His last Grand Prix was the 1960 Argentine Grand Prix. González competed in 26 World Championship Formula One Grands Prix over nine seasons and numerous non-Championship events. In the 26 World Championship races, González scored two victories, seven second-place finishes, six third-place finishes, three pole positions, six fastest laps, and 72 points. He won the 1951 Coppa Acerbo, the 1954 24 Hours of Le Mans with Maurice Trintignant, and the Portuguese Grand Prix for Ferrari.

Sixtieth anniversary tribute

On 10 July 2011, during the British Grand Prix meeting, González was honoured by Ferrari and the FIA on the 60th anniversary of Ferrari's first Formula One World Championship race victory. As part of the celebration, Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso drove González's Ferrari 375 F1 for four laps of the Silverstone track. Later that day, Alonso won the British Grand Prix in his Ferrari 150º Italia.

Death

González died in Buenos Aires from respiratory failure, aged 90, after a downturn in health following a heart attack earlier in 2013.

Racing record

Complete Formula One World Championship results

* Shared drive.
** Joint fastest lap.
† González started the race in a Ferrari 553 Squalo, but took over one of his teammates' 625 during the race.

Complete Formula One non-championship results

1Gonzalez drove the 553 in the heat and the 625 in the final of the 1954 BRDC International Trophy.

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results

Other race results

  • Grand Prix of Interlagos: 3rd,, Formula Libre
  • Grand Prix of Rio de Janeiro 1st,, Formula Libre
  • Grand Prix of Buenos Aires 1st,, Formula Libre
  • Glover Trophy: 1st,, Formula Libre
  • Supercortemaggiore: 2nd,
  • Monsanto Park Circuit: 1st,
  • 1000 miles of Buenos Aires: 3rd,, 1st
  • 500 miles of Rafaela: 1st,, 1st