The only driver to secure victory in their debut Formula 1 race shares a unique connection with Christmas Day, adding a special twist to the narrative.
While the idea of a driver entering Formula 1 and winning their first race might seem implausible, recent history witnessed attempts by , with Markus Winkelhock earning an honorable mention for his debut with McLaren and Williams, respectively.
Except for the 1950 British Grand Prix, F1’s inaugural championship race, where every driver was technically making their debut, and Johnnie Parson’s triumph at the 1950 Indy 500, contributing to the F1 championship, only one driver accomplished the extraordinary feat of winning their debut F1 championship race.
Giancarlo Baghetti, born on December 25, 1934, in Milan, Italy, embarked on his racing career in the mid-1950s, transitioning to low-power single-seaters in 1958. In 1961, he was chosen over two other promising junior Italian drivers to race a Formula Two Ferrari 156 in non-championship Grands Prix as part of a loan agreement between a group of independent Italian team owners named FISA and Enzo Ferrari.
Named ‘Team FISA,’ Baghetti entered the Syracuse Grand Prix and, against the odds, clinched victory. A few weeks later, he repeated this success in the non-championship Napoli Grand Prix.
His breakthrough came two weeks after the championship Belgian Grand Prix when Ferrari brought an additional 156 for a fourth driver for the 1961 French GP at Reims. Regular Ferrari driver Olivier Gendebien had moved to Equipe Nationale Belge, and despite the team’s decision to skip the race, a vacant 156 led Ferrari to award the seat to Baghetti, entered on behalf of FISA.
Baghetti qualified in 12th place, facing the challenging task of competing with a slightly less powerful engine. Despite starting behind, he maneuvered through the race, seizing an opportunity as other leading drivers faced setbacks. In the final laps, Baghetti found himself in contention against two Porsche entries, eventually engaging in a thrilling battle with Dan Gurney. In a spectacular finish, Baghetti managed to pull ahead just 200 meters before the line, securing a historic win by a mere tenth of a second.
This remarkable victory marked the culmination of Baghetti’s undefeated streak in his first three Formula 1 races. Although his subsequent races faced challenges, including a tragic incident at the Italian GP that claimed lives, Baghetti’s debut season stood out as a testament to his exceptional talent and racing prowess.
