19.07.2012 COUNT GIANNINO MARZOTTO 1928 - 2012

Ferrari is this week mourning the passing of one of the most celebrated gentleman drivers of the 1950s, Count Giannino Marzotto, who won the legendary Mille Miglia twice. He died aged 84.
Ferrari is this week mourning the passing of one of the most celebrated gentleman drivers of the 1950s, Count Giannino Marzotto, who won the legendary Mille Miglia twice. He died aged 84.

Ferrari is this week mourning the passing of one of the most celebrated gentleman drivers of the 1950s, Count Giannino Marzotto, who won the legendary Mille Miglia twice. He died aged 84.

Ferrari is this week mourning the passing of one of the most celebrated gentleman drivers of the 1950s, Count Giannino Marzotto, who won the legendary Mille Miglia twice. He died aged 84.

Son of an industrialist, Marzotto was the epitome of the well-dressed racer becoming famous in 1950 for driving a Ferrari 195 S to victory in the epic Mille Miglia road race wearing a double-breasted suit, complete with a tie.

He went on to win the Mille Miglia for a second time in 1953 in a 340 MM spider bodied by Vignale in 10 hours 37 minutes and 19 seconds meaning he established a new record average speed, of over 142 km/h, since the race began in 1927. In winning the Mille Miglia, twice, along the way he beat the greatest racing drivers of the day including Fangio, Moss, Taruffi and Biondetti. On both occasions he was accompanied by Marco Crosara.

Marzotto also came fifth overall in the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans behind the wheel of a Ferrari 340 MM berlinetta.

Enzo Ferrari in his book ‘Piloti, che gente’ had this to say of Giannino: “He was an extremely quick driver; a youngster with the character traits of Varzi in the way he could coldly calculate and reason, as well as for his seriousness and grit… Giannino would have been an excellent professional driver – perhaps even a champion.”

In later years his competitive spirit was undiminished and following his racing career he was involved in sports and hobbies including motor boats and micro light aircraft. Marzotto, who had three daughters, was born on 13th July 1928, passed away last Saturday, 14th July.



 
 

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