180+ mph. No seatbelts. Spectators right next to the tarmac. Johnathan K sends us the story of legendary British racing driver John Michael “Mike” Hawthorn - who. Became Britain’s first Formula One World Drivers Champion in 1958.  Famous for his signature style of racing in a bow tie and a green sports jacket, he was a tall, blond figure - nicknamed the “Farnham Flyer”.  Though highly successful, Hawthorn’s career was intensely dramatic, brief , and deeply affected by tragedy.  Hawthorn won the 1955 LeMans - but his sudden pit stop move was initially blamed for triggering a catastrophic crash that killed 83 spectators and driver Pierre Levegh.  Three months after retiring from racing, Hawthorn died at age 29 when he lost control of his highly modified Jaguar 3.4 saloon and crashed into a tree.
The stunning life and legacy of Mike Hawthorn here.