In 1958 Cuba was in the throes of La Revolutian. Fidel Castro was on a roll and President Battista was struggling to maintain power. In the meantime the FIA, formula 1’s governing body had it’s eyes on Havana as a new site for race expansion. Juan Manuel Fangio was considered by many to be the greatest F1 driver ever. Many still hold the opinion more than 50 years later. The issue in the FIA’s mind was security. Could Fidel Castro effect the success of the event. President Battista publicly assured the FIA the Castro had not the ability to disrupt and F1 event in Havana. So the race was on!
Drivers and cars arrived and the city was alive in anticipation. All seemed to be as it should be. But soon everything would change. As Fangio exited the hotel elevator he was approached by an armed gentleman who politely told Fangio that he must come with him. World Champion Fangio had just been kidnapped by Castro’s agents under the nose of Battista’s security.
All were, of course, concerned for the safety of Fangio. As it turned out Castro’s move was merely a statement to say to Battista and the world that he was here to stay and he could do whatever he wished. Fangio was released prior to the race and stated he was very well treated in captivity.
In case you are wondering Brit Stirling Moss won the race. It is hard to say what affect the kidnapping had on Mr. Fangio.
Now, you have to be at least slightly curious about the photographs of what appears to be a dismantled race car. Well while in Cuba we had the opportunity to dine one evening at one of the City’s few privately owned restaurants. While there we met the owner, told him we were I Cuba to learn more about the car culture there. He then began telling us this fantastic story about finding this old, dilapidated race car in an overgrown field of grass. The restaurant owner stated that after some research he came to the conclusion that this was the abandoned race car of Juan Manuel Fangio. As for me, I am not so sure. It does though make for a great ending to an extraordinary story in the collective history of Cuba and Formula 1. I hope you have enjoyed this story! Please stay awhile, view my Galleries and subscribe to receive photography