Mike Hawthorn Biography: John Michael Hawthorn was a racing driver from the United Kingdom. In 1958 he became the United Kingdom’s first Formula One World Champion driver.
Mike Hawthorn Biography
Mike Hawthorn Biography: Mike Hawthorn was born on April 10, 1929, in Mexborough, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, to Leslie and Winifred (née Symonds) Hawthorn. He attended Ardingly College in West Sussex before attending Chelsea Technical College and working as an apprentice for a commercial vehicle manufacturer. His father worked at the Tourist Trophy Garage in Farnham, which was licensed to supply and service some high-performance brands such as Jaguar and Ferrari.
Mike Hawthorn Wiki
| Name | Mike Hawthorn |
| Date Of Birth | April 10, 1929 |
| Birth Place | Mexborough, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Height | 6ft 2inch |
| Weight | N/A |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Profession | Racing Driver |
| Net Worth | $5 Million |
| Car Collection | N/A |
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Mike Hawthorn’s Net Worth
According to Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider, Mike Hawthorn’s net worth is $5 million.
Mike Hawthorn Career
Mike Hawthorn made his professional debut on September 2, 1950, winning the 1,100 cc sports car class at the Brighton Speed Trials in his 1934 Riley Ulster Imp, KV 9475. In 1951, while piloting a 1.5-liter T.T. Riley, he competed for and won the Motor Sport Brooklands Memorial Trophy, a season-long competition held at Goodwood. In the same calendar year, he also won the Ulster Trophy Handicap at Dundrod & the Leinster Trophy at Wicklow.
Hawthorn immediately proved his worth upon joining Scuderia Ferrari for the 1953 season by winning the French Grand Prix at Reims on his ninth attempt, outmaneuvering Juan Manuel Fangio in what became known as “the race of the century” with the top 4 drivers finishing within five seconds of each other after 60 laps. This podium finish and two others helped him conclude the season in fourth place. In addition, he won the BRDC International Trophy, the Ulster Trophy, and the 24 Hours of Spa Francorchamps with teammate Giuseppe Ferrari.
Hawthorn claimed the 1958 Formula One Championship despite earning only one victory, compared to Moss’s four. Hawthorn won the 1958 French Grand Prix at Reims, in which second-place finisher Musso was gravely injured. At the halfway point of the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix, his 246 engine failed, and at Monza, he was a minute clear of Tony Brooks when his clutch forced him to slow down. Hawthorn benefited greatly from Moss’s respectful behavior, as proven by the 1958 Portuguese Grand Prix in Porto. On his way to a second-place finish, Hawthorn was disqualified for bump-starting his stalled car downhill in the opposite direction. Moss advocated for Hawthorn, and ultimately the decision was reversed.
After a mid-race pit stop, Hawthorn accelerated through the field to earn an additional point for the quickest lap. Moss had not responded, probably doubting that Hawthorn could quickly complete the lap with damaged drum brakes. This extra world championship point and the second-place points contributed to Hawthorn’s championship victory with a season total of only one more than Moss. In the final race, the 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix, Hawthorn employed a conservative strategy to maintain his lead over Moss’s Vanwall compatriots. Brooks’s car broke while narrowly leading Hawthorn, & Stuart Lewis-Evans, in the 3rd Vanwall, crashed after a desperate attempt to move through the field & challenge Hawthorn, who was running third; Evans was subsequently killed from burns.
In the final laps, second-placed Phil Hill slowed and allowed English driver Mike Hawthorn to pass him to earn enough points to win the championship for the first time. Hawthorn and Keke Rosberg presently share the Formula One record for the fewest number of Grand Prix victories by an eventual drivers’ champion during a championship-winning season, with Hawthorn’s total of one success.
Mike Hawthorn Cause of Death
Hawthorn died in a car accident on the A3 Guildford bypass on 22 January 1959, just three months into retirement, while driving his fully modified 1958 Jaguar 3.4-liter saloon VDU 881 to London.
