The stunning life and legacy of Mike Hawthorn (2024)

Racing, a Family Affair

Mike Hawthorn's life in northern England started out rather well in 1929. He was born into a well-off family,was particularly gifted at school and was eventuallyadmitted into a reputable privateuniversity, mainlythanks to the meansof his father Leslie, a former moto racer. The latter owneda high-end dealership, the famous Tourist Trophy Garage, located nearthe Brooklands circuit. This proximity to the world of racing and his father'spassion infusedMike with the desire to hit the track, and at 21 hedecided to do just that.

Hawthornand his Riley made a name for themselves at the regional and national levels in 1950 and 1951. The following year, still financially supportedby his father, he turned his attention to single-seaters and purchased a Formula 2Cooper-Bristol. A star was born: he held his own against the top F1 drivers of the day at the British Grand Prix, and as a result, Enzo Ferrarisigned him for the1953 season.

In the Thick of It

In just a couple of years, Hawthorn had earned a seat at the table. He was tall, blonde, good-looking, charismatic and British, the perfect recipe for success. The year started out relatively well as he performed alongside two legendary world champions, Alberto Ascari andNino Farina.Il Commendatore, Enzo Ferrari, chose Hawthorn to participate in the 24 Hoursat the wheel of a magnificent340 MM.

Unfortunately, hisexperience at Le Mans quicklyturned disastrous. In the second hour of the race during a pit stop, a mechanic informedHawthorn the car'soil level was lower than expectedand made the mistake oftopping it off. No refill of that sortwas permitted before the28th lap andthe car was disqualified.

Hawthorn kept his chin up. At the BritishGrand Prix one month later,he executed the most brilliant performance of his career. Strugglingin fierce battles against Formula 1 icons, hestayed in the fightand facednone other than Juan Manuel Fangio in the final lap. In the end, he beat the Argentinian driver by less than asecond. The crowd and press went wild for thetwo heroes, quickly callingthe 1953 24 Hours the "race of the century."Hawthorn seemed destined for greatness, but many challenges were in store. Still, with his aristocratic air, he embodied perfectly the fast and distinguished drivers of the 1950s. At that time, there were many accomplished Brits on the track, but there was only oneMike Hawthorn,known forhis prowess behind the wheel, fast reactions andeccentric style.

The Dark Years

After returning to F1 for the1954 season, Hawthornsuffered a seriousaccident at the Syracuse Grand Prix in Sicily. Burns to a portion of his body exempted him from military service (an outcome that causeddebateback in the U.K.).Two months later, he was absent fromthe 24 Hours of Le Mans, but not due tohis injuries. His fatherLeslie had suddenly lost his lifein a road accident. Devasted, Hawthornwas forced to return to England to take the helm ofhis father's company. Incredibly, noneof these extremesetbacks kept him from the second half of the season. He followed hiswin atthe Spanish Grand Prix with several podium finishes, ending the year third in the championship classification.

Yet, his relationship with theScuderia Ferrari dimmedin early1955. After taking over his father's dealership, he preferred to work with British teams:Jaguar forsports prototypes andVanwall forF1. AsJaguar had proven itself quite capableat LeMans in recent years, even winning in 1951 and1953, Hawthorn had a good chance of victoryagainst the formidableMercedes driven by the likes ofFangio, Sir Stirling Moss and others.

Along with teammate Ivor Bueb in aType D, they started off strong, up until 18:00. Another tragic accident occurred with Hawthorn in the car.He was unhurt, but was quickly deemed responsible (the official investigation exonerated him thereafter). The battle remainedfierce untilMercedes withdrew from the race shortly before midnight. Jaguar stayed in, on theway to an easy one-two. Hawthorn was at the wheel across the finish line, establishing a new distance record and securing a bittersweet win.

Phone Call from an Old Friend

Adark period had emerged, but Hawthorn retained his perpetual smile. He rejoinedFerrari for the end of the 1955 season, then representedBRM, Maserati andVanwall. It was obvious he was no longer as fast, no longer as present. He did take the start in the 195624 Hours at the wheel of a fuel-injectedJaguar Type D, again withIvor Bueb. The duo proved stronger than ever, Hawthorn having regained some of his moxy. Heclocked the fastest free practice time and even filmed an on-board camera lap now considered iconic:

Again injured at the wheel of a Jaguar near the end of the season, it seemed as if nothing was going Hawthorn'sway, until a certain Enzo Ferrari contacted himfor1957. Back inMaranello, hebecame fast friends with fellow countryman Peter Collins who had joined the team the previous year. Stilldonning his signature bow tie, he was more mature andcalmer, butjust as fast. He and the Ferrari armada arrived at Le Mans with the 335 S. Once again, Hawthorn dazzled the crowd. Lightning speed quickly propelledhim to the top of the standings, but a longpitstop relegatedthe team to fifth position. His race endedwhen his teammate – and F1 rival– Luigi Musso brokethe car'sengine in the Mulsanne Straight atdusk on Saturday.

Hawthorn'sFormula1 season was disappointing for the most part as well. He and Collins wereinseparable, going as far as to share GrandPrix bonuses. The pair had no love forMussowho representedanother significantthreat inthe championship. In the end, Hawthorn finished fourth in the final classification and set his sights on 1958.

The Smile Finally Fades

The season got underway successfully thanks to Hawthorn'sunwaivering reliability. That year, his main rival was none other than Moss, at the wheel of a Vanwall, and by mid-season though still a title contender, he was no longer a favourite. TheScuderia once again entered Hawthorn in the 24 Hours, alongside his great friend Collins. The racewas a dream come true, a real battle of the titans: Moss and Aston Martin againstHawthorn andFerrari, like inFormula1. Moss dictateda staggering pace, and the cars were unable to keep up: abroken connecting rod ended Aston Martin's efforts, and a recalcitrant clutch slowed Hawthorn/Collins in the250 Testa Rossa, forcing them to retire at2:00.

Sir Stirling Moss

Near the end of the F1 season at the circuit in Reims, hewas headed toward an exceptional victory in a race marked by the death of thegreat Luigi Musso. WhenHawthorn had the opportunity to gain a lap on Fangio suffering car problems, he decelerated, out of respect, to watch the Argentinian driverone last time before he retired from competition.

Fate soon dealt Hawthorn yet another crushing blow. At the GermanGrand Prix, Collins himself passed away, taking with himHawthorn's desire tocompete. In Portugal, with the mark of a truegentleman, Moss campaignedfor the non-disqualification of his rival, thus leaving himin the race for the title. With only a one-point lead and thanks toPhil Hillrendering his spot in Morocco, Hawthorn was crowned the 1958 F1 worldchampion, the firstBrit to achieve the feat.

Sir Stirling Moss

Shooting Star

The evening he was awarded the title, Hawthornannounced his retirement and went on towritechildren's books about racing. However, he had been suffering physically for some timeand after a diagnosis of kidney disease, was given no more thanthree years to live. On22 January1959, just three months after his staggering announcement, Hawthorn died in a car accident in southwest London. Thoughthe exact circumstances remain unknown, hewas most likelyracing F1 team ownerRob Walker at the time.

Mike Hawthorn was not among usvery long– barely29 years – but he left an indelible imprint on our world. He experienced glory and witnessed death from every angle. His legend will live on forever.

Mike Hawthorn