Gonzalez to relive Ferrari's first GP win at Coy's

Argentinian Jose Froilan Gonzalez who scored Ferrari’s first Grand Prix victory, at Silverstone in 1951, is returning to the scene for the marque’s 50th anniversary celebrations at Coys International Historic Festival on July 25-27.

Gonzalez, 73, will join Ferrari World Champions Phil Hill, John Surtees and Jody Scheckter in the British Racing Driver’s Club’s showpiece.

The Pampas Bull’s defeat of compatriot Fangio’s Alfa Romeo 159, in a 4 1/2-litre unblown V12 Ferrari 375, broke Alfa’s dominance and set the course for Ferrari’s future glories.

Forced to race in the shadow of Fangio, Gonzalez won just one other World Championship Grand Prix, also at Silverstone, in 1954, where he stole a rare victory from the Mercedes team.

Gonzalez always had special regard for Silverstone, but his last British Grand Prix ended at the start when his Vanwall broke a driveshaft. He was also a superb sportscar driver, and, sharing a Ferrari with Maurice Trintignant, won the 1954 Le Mans 24 Hours.