Photo by Chris Peeters via Pexels
Our goal is to bring racing legends back to life, one story at a time. This week, we share everything we know and remember about Onofre Marimón.
We often remember drivers like Fangio or Farina, but there were many legends in that era, and one of them was Onofre Marimón.
So who really was Onofre Marimón, and why does his story still matter, even in an era full of legends that history barely remembers?
He was Argentine, born in 1923 in Zárate, and grew up surrounded by racing, with a father who was also a driver.
It was not only about driving. Marimón was deeply interested in the mechanical side of racing, which meant he often knew exactly what he wanted from the car and what could work.
Argentine F1 driver to the World Stage
At the time, the world’s attention was fixed on Juan Manuel Fangio. Another Argentine, and one of the greatest drivers the sport has ever seen, Fangio’s rise meant that Onofre Marimón’s story was often overlooked.
What mattered most was that Fangio noticed him. Known for rarely offering praise, Fangio still chose to take Marimón under his wing, and that was the moment the paddock began to pay attention.
When the world’s best driver believed in him and helped him get a seat, everyone began to see Marimón in a new light. Many thought he was destined to be a future champion, yet fate had different plans.
However, Marimón entered Formula One in 1951, driving a Maserati at the French Grand Prix—for the Scuderia Milano, a privateer team at the time created by two Italian brothers.
But after just three laps at the French Grand Prix, he retired from the race due to engine failure.
Scuderia Milano was still finding its footing. As a new team trying to race at the highest level, staying ahead of powerhouse teams like Ferrari and Alfa Romeo was always going to be a tough task.
Looking at the qualifying results, it was clear Marimón had talent. For his very first race, he managed to qualify 15th out of 24 cars, an impressive feat for both a new privateer team and a rookie driver.
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Learning the Craft in Formula One
After his first Grand Prix, Marimón did not compete again in 1951, and he also missed the 1952 season. It was not until mid-1953 that he got another opportunity: Maserati gave him a seat for the Belgian Grand Prix, the fourth race of the season.
Finally, with a competitive car beneath him, Marimón had the chance to show the world he belonged in Formula One. He qualified fifth and managed a podium in just his second race. The Maserati A6GCM-53 gave him the opportunity to fight, but it could not match the Ferraris that weekend. He finished a lap down, with Alberto Ascari taking victory and Luigi Villoresi in second.
He was able to finish ninth at the French Grand Prix later in the 1953 season, yet persistent reliability issues meant that completing races remained a constant struggle.
That Belgian race marked the highlight of his season, as he finished on the podium, and Marimón went on to continue racing for Maserati in 1954.
One of his standout races came at the 1954 British Grand Prix, where he claimed another podium, which would be the last of his Formula One career.
Let’s also recall his fastest lap at the British Grand Prix. Even though it was the only official fastest lap of his career, achieving it in just twelve F1 races is yet another reason why Marimón is remembered as a true legend.
The Nürburgring 1954 and a Career Cut Short
Then came the Nürburgring.
The German circuit in the 1950s was vast, challenging, and demanded the utmost skill from even the most experienced drivers. During practice for the 1954 German Grand Prix, Marimón was pushing his Maserati 250F, doing what talented young drivers do—finding rhythm, testing limits, and showing his potential. Tragically, he passed away following an incident on the track that day.
The Impact on Formula One and Fellow Drivers
The impact on the paddock was profound. Fangio was deeply shaken. José Froilán González, another close friend and fellow Argentine, struggled to process the loss. Marimón had not been a rival to fear, he had been a teammate, a companion, someone whose future felt shared.
According to reports, the day after Marimón’s accident, his friend José Froilán González did not want to race on Sunday. Ultimately, he decided to take part, but the emotional impact was too strong, and he was unable to finish. Devastated by the loss of his friend, he returned to the pits and handed his car over to his teammate Mike Hawthorn. Hawthorn, who had earlier retired his own car after breaking an axle at the start, went on to finish second in the race.
Was Onofre Marimón a Future Champion?
So how good was Onofre Marimón, really? Was he championship material?
I think, his stats and the opinions of those who knew him, it’s clear that Marimon had the potential to be a F1 champion.
Fangio’s belief in him spoke volumes and he knew that Marimon was already a great driver, and Fangio himself, was already one of the best in the world at the time.
Even his record, two podiums in just twelve races, tells its own story. It shows that Marimón was already a remarkable driver and that he truly belonged in Formula One.
Onofre Marimón and the Unfinished Story
So yes, he never won a championship or fought for a title but he remains one of the sport’s most unforgettable ‘what-ifs’, but not for what he did, but for what many believed he could could have achieved.
While Marimón’s name may not come up as often as Fangio or Ascari, his story still holds a quiet power. That is why we felt it was important to share and honor his memory.
