Paternity test proves Espinosa is Fangio’s son

Formula One legend Juan Manuel Fangio’s paternity over 77-year-old Oscar Espinosa has been confirmed based on the results of an official DNA test.

The body of the five-time world champion was exhumed last August after two men – Espinosa and Ruben Vazquez – claimed to be Fangio’s sons. The procedure was ordered by the court of Mar del Plata and carried out in the morgue of a municipal cemetery in the Argentine town of Balcarce.

Judge Rodrigo Cataldo confirmed on Wednesday that Espinosa was Fangio’s biological son.

“When you think about the upcoming elections, this will be the first time I can vote with the ‘Fangio’ surname,” he told local reporters.

Espinosa had brought the paternity case based on evidence supplied by his mother Andrea Berruet, who enjoyed a long-term relationship with the great champion.

The outcome of Vazquez’ claim is expected in the next few days. The 73-year-old alleges to be Fangio’s son following the confession of his late mother Catalina Basili.

Fangio never married and was thought to be childless; he passed away on July 17, 1995 at the age of 84.

Nicknamed “El Maestro”, Fangio claimed 24 grand prix victories out of 52 starts, winning five world titles (1951, 1954, 1955, 1956 and 1957) in a career that saw him race for Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Mercedes and Ferrari.

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