Mike Hawthorn made his debut in 1950. His results in single-seaters (finishing fourth for his first Grand Prix in 1952 with a Cooper Bristol) drew the attention of none other than Enzo Ferrari who proceeded to recruit him for the 1953 Formula 1 season. That same year and also with Ferrari, he participated in his first 24 Hours of Le Mans, joining Italian driver Nino Farina. Just three weeks after his debut at Le Mans, he won his first Grand Prix, in France at the circuit in Reims.

The Brit returned to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1955 representing Jaguar. Along with his fellow countryman Ivor Bueb, he won the edition-turned-tragedy after the worst catastrophe in motorsport history. In 1956, he claimed the third step on the podium then rejoined Ferrari for his participations in the 1957 and 1958 editions, both resulting in retirements.

While fatalities often marred circuit races in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, death also repeatedly scarred Mike Hawthorn's life. One year after the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans, he lost his father, a life-long source of support, in a road accident.

In 1958, at the peak of his career in Formula 1, tragedy struck once again. That year he competed in his fifth and final 24 Hours along with fellow Brit Peter Collins, his teammate with Ferrari in Formula 1, but more importantly one of his dearest friends. On August 3, 1958, Collins was killed at the German Grand Prix. In great emotional pain, but a contender at the time for the Formula 1 World Champion title against Stirling Moss, Hawthorn was indeed crowned at the Moroccan Grand Prix (finishing second at the race behined Moss) with just a one point lead.

In the wake of winning the title, he retired from competition, admitting at the annual British Racing Drivers' Club dinner in 1958 that, for him, motorsport had lost its allure since the passing of his close friend Peter Collins. He was considering a second career developing the import of Ferraris in the U.K. when he lost his life in a road accident in England on January 22, 1959.

Today Mike Hawthorn holds a very special place in the shared histories of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Formula 1. Not only is he the first driver to win both the legendary race and the F1 world title, he is also the first Brit crowned in F1. Hawthorn is an icon in yet another way, his style of attire: in addition to an open helmet with a visor protecting his entire face, he took the wheel sporting a bow tie.

The third step on the podium at the 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix, which culminated in Hawthorn's title, was claimed by a second great figure in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans: Phil Hill, the first American driver to win the race. But, that's another story...to be continued in the next installment in this series.

 

Click below for the first installment in this series:

24 Hours of Le Mans and Formula 1 (1) - Four World Champions for 10 stories