RIP Jose Frolian Gonzalez

[FourWheelDrift]

The winner (amongst others) of the 1951 British GP giving Ferrari it's first win has passed away at the age of 90.

Profile - http://f1greatestdrivers.autosport.com/?driver=27

Leaves only Robert Manzon as the only driver left to have competed in the first Formula One Grand Prix season (1950).

[Tony2or4]

RIP, Pampas Bull.

[Eric Mc]

I was just chatting to someone the other day and wondering was he still around. Sadly, he was then but isn't now.

[Porky]

Great shame - RIP.

[Tony2or4]

Photos like this always give me a little chuckle:




(French Grand prix, Reims 1953.)


It encapsulates the massive gulf between what cars, drivers and racing were like then and how they are now.

Today it'd be difficult to imagine a race result like this:


1: Blonde guy in bow tie and windcheater (Ferrari)

2: 42-year old chap in only his 3rd full season of F1 (Maserati)

3: Fat bloke wearing a polo shirt (Maserati)


(Sigh) Those were the days.

[Eric Mc]

As has been said before - an era when the drivers were fat and the tyres were skinny.

[Life Saab Itch]

He had to be that big to monster the Ferrari 375+ around Le Mans and the like.


Shame, but he had a good life, a long life and a lot of fun on the way.

[FourWheelDrift]

Highlights (colour) 1951 British GP - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZsRYedCzNs

[Vocal Minority]

Had no idea that he was still around. God bless Pampas Bull

[Tony2or4]

FourWheelDrift said:

Highlights (colour) 1951 British GP - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZsRYedCzNs

Aah, fabulous!

Brilliant bit of video - thanks for the link, 4WD. The word 'evocative' comes to mind. That's cheered me up for the rest of the day, now.

[phatgixer]

Proper proportioned man!

RIP big fella

[Tony2or4]

Eric Mc said:

As has been said before - an era when the drivers were fat and the tyres were skinny.

The Daily Telegraph's obitiary for Gonzales actually attributes that comment to the Pampas Bull himself.