Happy Birthday Mercedes Benz!

For the 1954 French Grand Prix, Argentine Formula 1 racer Juan Manuel Fangio ditched his Maserati in favor of a Mercedes-Benz. He won the race and three of the next five in his new
Joseph McKeown / Picture Post / Getty Images

Grand Prix
The company proved successful in the burgeoning world of motorsports as well. For the 1954 French Grand Prix, Argentine Formula 1 racer Juan Manuel Fangio ditched his Maserati in favor of a Mercedes-Benz. He won the race and three of the next five in his new German-made speed machine, earning him the world championship, a feat he repeated the following year, once again behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz. Despite the success, Mercedes left Formula 1 after the 1955 season and returned only in the 1990s as an engine provider. In 1998 Mika Hakkinen would race a Mercedes-powered McLaren to the top spot on the championship podium.

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