Remembering Ascari’s designated F1 heir

Italy’s Eugenio Castellotti was Alberto Ascari’s designated successor in F1 after the two-time world champion had died in Monza in 1955. Sadly, Castellotti had too little time to confirm his credentials, as the Lombardy-born racer perished aged only 26 when he crashed in a private Ferrari test session held in Modena on this date 59 years ago.

In his all-too-short life and career, Castellotti still managed to win the iconic Mille Miglia and the 12 Hours of Sebring partnering the great Juan Manuel Fangio. In only 14 grand prix starts, the Italian ace secured three podiums and a stunning pole position, outpacing the almighty Mercedes on the fearsome Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in 1955.

Martin Businaro

Recent Posts

Mekies: ‘We all agree’ F1 must bring back flat-out qualifying

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has made it clear: Formula 1 must rediscover the…

10 hours ago

‘Rusty, me?’: Perez fires back at Andretti’s Cadillac claim

Sergio Perez isn’t taking lightly the suggestion that his return to Formula 1 with Cadillac…

12 hours ago

Formula 1’s heartfelt gift to new dad Fernando Alonso

While Aston Martin’s F1 car is currently giving Fernando Alonso some massive engine vibrations and…

13 hours ago

Hill says unhappy Verstappen ‘should stop and do something else’

For a driver who has spent years bending F1 to his will, Max Verstappen suddenly…

15 hours ago

‘He’s up against it’: Brundle fears Sainz facing career dead end in F1

For Carlos Sainz, what was meant to be a strong second season at Williams is…

16 hours ago

Alonso’s brutal verdict: ‘High-speed corners now charging stations’

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has delivered another withering verdict on Formula 1’s 2026 regulations…

17 hours ago