Auto Race Car Driver. Born in Mexborough, Yorkshire, he won the 1958 World Formula One Championship driving a Ferrari. In 1955 he won the Le Mans 24-hour race in spite of controversially being involved in an accident which resulted in the worse loss of life - 80 people - in motor racing history. With only one win that year, he benefited from the gentlemanship of driver Sterling Moss at the Portugese Grand Prix at Porto after being disqualified for pushing his car. Moss spoke up for him which allowed Hawthorn to keep his second place, and that allowed him to win the title by one point from Moss. After winning the title, he immediately retired from the sport. Months later, he lost control of a Jaguar on the A3 Guildford-Bypass.
Auto Race Car Driver. Born in Mexborough, Yorkshire, he won the 1958 World Formula One Championship driving a Ferrari. In 1955 he won the Le Mans 24-hour race in spite of controversially being involved in an accident which resulted in the worse loss of life - 80 people - in motor racing history. With only one win that year, he benefited from the gentlemanship of driver Sterling Moss at the Portugese Grand Prix at Porto after being disqualified for pushing his car. Moss spoke up for him which allowed Hawthorn to keep his second place, and that allowed him to win the title by one point from Moss. After winning the title, he immediately retired from the sport. Months later, he lost control of a Jaguar on the A3 Guildford-Bypass.
Bio by: Paul Narramore
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