One of the all-time European greats, if not THE greatest, Nuvolari had only one unsuccessful attempt at the Indy 500 which is the reason he's listed on these pages. That was a tiny footnote to his immensely successful and influential career. As well as his many wins, he was influential in developing the four-wheel drifting style of driving. Tazio actually started in motorcycles in 1915 before serving as a courier in World War 1. He carried on racing on 2 wheels until 1925, the year after he became Italian National Champion. Thereafter, Tazio dominated racing in various forms until the Second World War - almost literally as he won the last Grand Prix before the war, the Yugoslav Grand Prix, on the day War was announced. He won the Italian Grand Prix three times, the Targa Florio twice, the Mille Miglia twice and Le Mans in 1933 amongst many other successes. During the war, Tazio's health took a major downturn, suffering from a number of lung related issues, arguably caused by petrol fumes inhaled when racing. He won at Albi in 1946, but collapsed at the end of the race and raced little thereafter; his last race came in 1950 in a hillclimb. He died at his home after battling his illness and was buried in his racing suit and helmet. Nuvolari was also a dignified man who put aside terrible tragedy - both his sons died before they were twenty - to remain, still, one of the most enduringly popular racing drivers of all time.

Biography last updated 25 Jan 2016