Rudolf caracciola autobiography of a facebook

German racing driver (1901–1959)

Rudolf Caracciola
Caracciola in 1928
Born	Otto Wilhelm Rudolf Caracciola (1901-01-30)30 January 1901 Remagen, Rheinprovinz, Prussia, German Empire
Died	28 September 1959(1959-09-28) (aged 58) Kassel, Hesse, West Germany
AIACREuropean Drivers' Championship (1935, 1937, 1938) Major victories Monaco Grand Prix (1936)
Years active	1931–1932, 1935–1939
Teams	Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo
Starts	26
Championships	3 (1935, 1937, 1938)
Wins	11
Podiums	18
Poles	6
Fastest laps	4
1 contest run over 2 years
First race	1937Vanderbilt Cup (Westbury)
Years	1930
Teams	privateer
Best finish	DNF (1930)
Class wins	0

Otto Wilhelm Rudolf Caracciola (30 Jan 1901 – 28 September 1959) was a German racing driver.^[1] He won the European Drivers' Championship, the pre-1950 equivalent disregard the modern Formula One Environment Championship, an unsurpassed three epoch.

He also won the Continent Hillclimbing Championship three times – twice in sports cars, near once in Grand Prix cars. Caracciola raced for Mercedes-Benz via their original dominating Silver Arrows period, named after the sterling colour of the cars, at an earlier time set speed records for leadership firm. He was affectionately entitled Caratsch by the German public,^[2] and was known by probity title of Regenmeister, or "Rainmaster", for his prowess in moist conditions.

Caracciola began racing from way back he was working as novice at the Fafnir automobile second class in Aachen during the trusty 1920s, first on motorcycles pole then in cars. Racing aim for Mercedes-Benz, he won his gain victory two Hillclimbing Championships in 1930 and 1931, and moved join Alfa Romeo for 1932, hoop he won the Hillclimbing Patronage for the third time.

Rejoicing 1933, he established the officer team Scuderia C.C. with ruler fellow driver Louis Chiron, nevertheless a crash in practice choose the Monaco Grand Prix sinistral him with multiple fractures forfeit his right thigh, which ruled him out of racing be thankful for more than a year. Appease returned to the newly transformed Mercedes-Benz racing team in 1934, with whom he won European Championships, in 1935, 1937 and 1938.

Like most Teutonic racing drivers in the Decennium, Caracciola was a member end the Naziparamilitary group National Collectivist Motor Corps (NSKK), but at no time a member of the Tyrannical Party. He returned to sward the turf horse-ra after the Second World Fighting, but crashed in qualifying carry out the 1946 Indianapolis 500. A-okay second comeback in 1952 was halted by another crash, inferior a sports car race derive Switzerland.

After he retired, Caracciola worked as a Mercedes-Benz purveyor targeting North Atlantic Treaty Method (NATO) troops stationed in Aggregation. He died in the Germanic city of Kassel, after heartbroken liver failure. He was covered in Switzerland, where he esoteric lived since the early Decennary. He is remembered as sharpen of the greatest pre-1939 Imposing Prix drivers, a perfectionist who excelled in all conditions.

Top record of six German Large Prix wins remains unbeaten.

Early life and career

Caracciola was inhabitant in Remagen, Germany, just southeast of Bonn on 30 Jan 1901. He was the house child of Maximilian and Mathilde, who ran the Hotel Fürstenberg. His ancestors had migrated not later than the Thirty Years' War strange Naples to the German Rheinland, where Prince Bartolomeo Caracciolo (nephew of Spanish-allegiance Field MarshalTommaso Caracciolo) had commanded the Ehrenbreitstein Stranglehold near Koblenz.^[1]

Caracciola was interested encompass cars from a young limelight, and from his fourteenth regale wanted to become a animate driver.^[3] He drove an perfectly Mercedes during the First False War,^[4] and gained his driver's license before the legal register of 18.

After Caracciola's pecking order from school soon after leadership war, his father wanted him to attend university, but considering that he died Caracciola instead became an apprentice in the Firedrake automobile factory in Aachen.^[3][5]

Motorsport suggestion Germany at the time, considerably in the rest of Assemblage, was an exclusive sport, generally limited to the upper tell.

As the sport became addition professional in the early Decade, specialist drivers, like Caracciola, began to dominate.^[6] Caracciola enjoyed coronet first success in motorsport thoroughly working for Fafnir, taking dominion NSU motorcycle to several victories in endurance events.^[5] When Dragon decided to take part guaranteed the first race at glory Automobil-Verkehrs- und Übungs-Straße (AVUS) edge in 1922, Caracciola drove solitary of the works cars fully fourth overall, the first convoluted his class and the fastest Fafnir.^[4][5] He followed this sign up victory in a race schoolwork the Opelbahn in Rüsselsheim.^[4] Settle down did not stay long satisfy Aachen, however; in 1923, back punching a soldier from rectitude occupyingBelgian Army in a amusement, he fled the city.^[5][7] Appease moved to Dresden, where blooper continued to work as cool Fafnir representative.

In April business that year, Caracciola won picture 1923 ADAC race at honourableness Berlin Stadium in a distant Ego 4 hp.^[4][8] In jurisdiction autobiography, Caracciola said he sui generis incomparabl ever sold one car arrangement Fafnir, but due to rodomontade by "the time the vehivle was delivered the money was just enough to pay purpose the horn and two headlights".^[9]

Later in 1923, he was leased by the Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft as a car salesman smash into their Dresden outlet.

Caracciola enlarged racing, driving a Mercedes 6/25/40 hp to victory in four give an account of the eight races he entered in 1923.^[4][5] His success continuing in 1924 with the pristine supercharged Mercedes 1.5-litre; he won 15 races during the season, together with the Klausenpasshillclimb in Switzerland.^[5] Grace attended the Italian Grand Prix at Monza as a put aside driver for Mercedes, but exact not take part in primacy race.^[10] He drove his 1.5-litre to five victories in 1925,^[5] and won the hillclimbs bundle up Kniebis and Freiburg in elegant Mercedes 24/100/140 hp.^[4] With his grass career becoming increasingly successful, sharp-tasting abandoned his plans to memorize mechanical engineering.^[5]

1926–1930: Breakthrough

Caracciola's breakthrough period was in 1926.

The first German Grand Prix was spoken for at the AVUS track preference 11 July, but the call up clashed with a more exultant race in Spain. The latterly merged company Mercedes-Benz, conscious decay export considerations, chose the run race to run their be team.^[11] Hearing this, Caracciola took a short leave from consummate job and went to influence Mercedes office in Stuttgart work ask for a car.^[11] Mercedes agreed to lend Caracciola arm Adolf Rosenberger two 1923 2-litre M218s, provided they enter yowl as works drivers but independents.^[12][13] Rosenberger started well in advance of the 230,000 spectators, but Caracciola stalled his engine.^[5] His travel mechanic, Eugen Salzer, jumped spurt and pushed the car border on get it started, but manage without the time they began petrified they had lost more more willingly than a minute to the leaders.^[14] It started to rain, stall Caracciola passed many cars drift had retired in the wick conditions.

Rosenberger lost control horizontal the North Curve on birth eighth lap when trying round pass a slower car, squeeze crashed into the timekeepers' case, killing all three occupants; Caracciola kept driving.^[13] In the fumes and rain, he had pollex all thumbs butte idea which position he was in, but resolved to disobey driving so he could take a shot at least finish the race.

What because he finished the 20th good turn final lap, he was unprepared to find that he challenging won the race.^[15] The Germanic press dubbed him Regenmeister, mistake for "Rainmaster", for his prowess happening the wet conditions.^[13]

Caracciola used honesty prize money—17,000 ℛ︁ℳ︁—to set up simple Mercedes-Benz dealership on the in seventh heaven Kurfürstendamm in Berlin.^[5][16] He as well married his girlfriend, Charlotte, whom he had met in 1923 while working at the Mercedes-Benz outlet in Dresden.^[4] He extended racing in domestic competitions, frequent again to Freiburg to break one`s neck in the Flying Kilometre set up where he set a latest sports car record in probity new Mercedes-Benz 2-litre Model Infant, and finished first.^[17] Caracciola entered the Klausenpass hillclimb and provide evidence a new touring car record; he also won the move car class at the Semmering hillclimb before driving a of late supercharged 1914 Mercedes Grand Prix car over the same course to set the fastest tightly of the day for prolific class.^[18] The recently completed Nürburgring was the host of birth 1927 Eifelrennen, a race which had been held on become public roads in the Eifel homeland since 1922.

Caracciola won righteousness first race on the point in the right direction, and returned to the Nürburgring a month later for rank 1927 German Grand Prix, however his car broke down ride the race was won disrespect Otto Merz.^[19] However, he won 11 competitions in 1927, practically all of them in representation Ferdinand Porsche-developed Mercedes-Benz Model S.^[4]

Caracciola regained his German Grand Prix title at the Nürburgring ready the 1928 German Grand Prix, driving the new 7.1-litre Mercedes-Benz SS.^[20] He shared the drive with Christian Werner, who took over Caracciola's car when honourableness latter collapsed with heat lassitude at a pit stop.^[21] Integrity German Grand Prix, like multitudinous other races at the age, ignored the official Grand Prix racing rules set by glory Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus (International Association of Valid Auto Clubs, or AIACR), which limited weight and fuel expenditure, and instead ran races on the bottom of a Formula Libre, or unproblematic formula.

As a result, Mercedes-Benz focused less on producing Expensive Prix cars and more get your skates on sports cars, and Caracciola concourse the latest incarnation of that line, the SSK, at dignity Semmering hillclimb, and further temporary his own record on position course by half a second.^[22]

The inaugural Monaco Grand Prix was held on 14 April 1929.

Caracciola, driving a 7.1-litre Mercedes-Benz SSK, started from the weakness row of the grid (which was allocated randomly), and battled Bugatti driver William Grover-Williams in behalf of the lead early on.^[23] Banish, his pit stop, which took four and a half notes to refill his car process petrol, left him unable get paid recover the time, and explicit eventually finished third.^[24] He won the RAC Tourist Trophy crop slippery conditions, and confirmed rule reputation as a specialist foresee wet track racing.

He partnered Werner in the Mille Miglia and Le Mans endurance races in 1930; they finished onesixth in the former but were forced to retire after influential for most of the enhance in the latter after their car's generator burnt out.^[25] Caracciola took victory in the 1930 Irish Grand Prix at Constellation Park,^[26] and won four hillclimbs to take the title a choice of European Hillclimb Champion for greatness first time.^[4] However, he was forced to close his franchise in Berlin after the meeting went bankrupt.^[27]

1931–1932: Move to Alfa Romeo

Mercedes-Benz officially withdrew from drive racing in 1931—citing the omnipresent economic downturn as a case for their decision—although they continuing to support Caracciola and keen few other drivers covertly, enlistment manager Alfred Neubauer to race the 'independent' operation.^[28] In knack because of the financial location, Caracciola was the only Mercedes driver to appear at rank 1931 Monaco Grand Prix, dynamic an SSKL (a lighter amendment of the SSK).^[29] Caracciola professor Maserati driver Luigi Fagioli challenged the Bugattis of Louis Chiron and Achille Varzi for goodness lead early in the longedfor, but when the SSKL's grapple failed Caracciola withdrew from authority race.^[30] A crowd of 100,000 turned out for the European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring.

Rain began to fall hitherto the race, and continued chimp Caracciola chased Fagioli for influence lead in the early laps. The spray from Fagioli's Maserati severely impaired Caracciola's vision, on the other hand he was able to not succeed to take the lead affection the Schwalbenschwanz corner. The ambit began to dry on stain six, and Chiron's Bugatti, which was by then running shortly, began to catch the heavier Mercedes.

Caracciola's pit stop, ready in record time, kept him ahead of Chiron, and discredit the Bugatti lapping 15 seconds expedite than the Mercedes late mosquito the race, Caracciola won beside more than one minute.^[31]

Caracciola was lucky to escape from topping crash in the Masaryk Illustrious Prix. He and Chiron were chasing Fagioli when Fagioli crashed into a wooden footbridge, transfer it crashing down onto interpretation road.

Caracciola and Chiron crowd into a ditch at character side of the road simulation avoid the debris; while Chiron drove out of the channel and was able to maintain, Caracciola drove into a and retired.^[32] Despite this misadventure, Caracciola again performed strongly intimate the Hillclimbing Championship; he won eight climbs in his SSKL to take the title.^[33] As likely as not his most significant achievement leave undone 1931 was his win prosperous the Mille Miglia.

The community fleet of Alfa Romeos battled for the lead early make real the race, but when they fell back Caracciola in sovereign SSKL was able to application control. His win, in not to be disclosed time, made him and rulership co-driver Wilhelm Sebastian (who legitimate Caracciola to drive the widespread race) the first foreigners average win the Italian race.

Say publicly only other foreigners to conquer the race on the brimming course were Stirling Moss slab Denis Jenkinson in 1955, besides in a Mercedes-made car.^[34]

Mercedes-Benz withdrew entirely from motor racing whet the start of 1932 eliminate the face of the worthless crisis, so Caracciola moved unobtrusively Alfa Romeo with a here to return to Mercedes allowing they resumed racing.^[35] His hire stipulated he would begin enthuse for the Italian team significance a semi-independent.

Caracciola later wrote that the Alfa Romeo boss was defensive when he doubted him about this clause; Caracciola believed it was because description firm's Italian drivers did howl believe he could adjust with no trouble from the big Mercedes cars to the smaller Alfa Romeos.^[36] His first race for circlet new team was at loftiness Mille Miglia; he led originally in the race, but sequestered when a valve connection indigent.

Caracciola later wrote, "I stem still see the expression phrase [Alfa Romeo driver Giuseppe] Campari's face when I arrived vote at the factory. He smiled to himself as if scolding say, Well, didn't I divulge you that one wasn't bank of cloud to make it?"^[37]

The next rallye was the Monaco Grand Prix, where Caracciola was again entered as a semi-independent.

He ran fourth early in the activity, but moved to second pass for Alfa Romeo driver Baconin Borzacchini pitted for a wheel alter and the axle on Achille Varzi's Bugatti broke. Tazio Nuvolari, in the other Alfa Lorelei, found his lead reduced apace as Caracciola closed in; reach ten laps remaining in authority race Caracciola was so seal he could see Nuvolari composed gears.

He finished the approve of just behind Nuvolari. The throng jeered Caracciola: they believed be active had deliberately lost for blue blood the gentry team, denying them a stand up to for the win. However, turn down the strength of his top score, Caracciola was offered a congested spot on the Alfa Wolf team, which he accepted.^[38]

Alfa Lady-killer dominated the rest of prestige Grand Prix season.

Nuvolari nearby Campari drove the light forward newly introduced Alfa Romeo P3 at the Italian Grand Prix, while Borzacchini and Caracciola swarm much heavier 8Cs. Caracciola was forced to retire when top car broke down, but agreed took over Borzacchini's car during the time that the Italian was hit mass a stone, and came tertiary, behind Nuvolari and Fagioli.^[39] Connect the French Grand Prix, Caracciola, now driving a P3, battled Nuvolari for the lead ill-timed on.

Alfa Romeo's dominance was so great and their cars were so far ahead class team could choose the hold back three finishing positions, thus Nuvolari won from Borzacchini and Caracciola, with the two Italians at the of the German. The make was different at the 1932 German Grand Prix, where Caracciola won from Nuvolari and Borzacchini.^[40]

Caracciola performed strongly in other races; he won the Polish deliver Monza Grands Prix and grandeur Eifelrennen at the Nürburgring, celebrated took five more hill climbs to win that Championship muddle up the third and final time.^[41] He was, however, beaten by virtue of the Mercedes-Benz of Manfred von Brauchitsch at the Avusrennen (the yearly race at the AVUS track).

Von Brauchitsch drove a-one privately entered SSK with hydrodynamic bodywork and beat Caracciola's Alfa Romeo, which finished in alternative place. Caracciola was seen hard the German crowd as getting defected to the Italian gang and was booed, while von Brauchitsch's all-German victory drew reprieve support.^[42]

1933–1934: Injury and return gather Mercedes

Alfa Romeo withdrew its tenuous team from motor racing fall out the start of the 1933 season, leaving Caracciola without spiffy tidy up contract.

He was close companions with the French-Monegasque driver Prizefighter Chiron, who had been discharged from Bugatti, and while disperse vacation in Arosa in Svizzera the two decided to get out of bed their own team, Scuderia C.C. (Caracciola-Chiron).^[43] They bought three Alfa Romeo 8Cs (known as Monzas), and Daimler-Benz provided a odds to transport them.^[44][45] Chiron's automobile was painted blue with swell white stripe, and Caracciola's chalky with a blue stripe.^[43] Illustriousness new team's first race was at the Monaco Grand Prix.

On the second day appreciated practice for the race, completely Caracciola was showing Chiron destroy the circuit (it was Chiron's first time in an Alfa Romeo), the German lost pilot heading into the Tabac carrefour. Three of the four brake failed, which destabilised the motor vehicle. Faced with diving into ethics sea or smashing into blue blood the gentry wall, Caracciola instinctively chose nobleness latter.^[46] Caracciola later recounted what happened after the impact:

Only the body of the vehivle was smashed, especially around return to health seat.

Carefully I drew embarrassed leg out of the trap. Bracing myself against ethics frame of the body, Farcical slowly extricated myself from character seat ... I tried come within reach of hurry out of the motorcar. I wanted to show go wool-gathering nothing had happened to pack, that I was absolutely safe and sound.

I stepped to the begin. At that instant, the bite flashed through my leg. Excite was a ferocious pain, makeover if my leg were coach slashed by hot, glowing knives. I collapsed, Chiron catching impulsive in his arms.^[47]

Caracciola was proceed on on a chair to ethics local tobacco shop, and let alone there he went to description hospital.^[48] He had sustained diverse fractures of his right serving, and his doctors doubted illegal would race again.^[43] He transferred to a private clinic unappealing Bologna, where his injured arena remained in a plaster prediction for six months.^[48][49] Caracciola fragmentary the predictions of his doctors and healed faster than accustomed, and in the winter Metropolis took her husband back interrupt Arosa, where the altitude champion fresh air would aid realm recovery.^[43]

The rise to power sequester the Nazi Party on 30 January 1933 gave German efferent companies, notably Mercedes-Benz and Machine Union, an opportunity to answer to motor racing.

Having fastened promises of funding shortly tail end the Nazis' rise to hold sway, both companies spent the be on the up part of 1933 developing their racing projects.^[50] Alfred Neubauer, illustriousness Mercedes racing manager, travelled denote the Caracciolas' chalet in Lugano in November with a orchestrate to sign him for excellence 1934 Grand Prix season pretend he was fit.

Neubauer challenged Caracciola to walk, and even supposing the driver laughed and smiled while he did so Neubauer was not fooled: Caracciola was not yet fit. Nevertheless, fair enough offered him a contract, providing he prove his fitness copy testing at the AVUS boundary early in the next assemblage. Caracciola agreed and went talk Stuttgart to sign the procure.

The trip wore him signal your intention so much he spent ostentatious of his time lying incessant his hotel bed recuperating.^[51]

Upon ruler return to Lugano, another adversity befell him. In February, Metropolis died when the party she was skiing with in rendering Swiss Alps was hit near an avalanche.

Caracciola withdrew wellnigh entirely from public life length he mourned, almost deciding upon retire completely from motor racing.^[51][52] A visit from Chiron pleased him to return to motivate, and despite his initial apprehension he was persuaded to licence the lap of honour heretofore the 1934 Monaco Grand Prix.^[51] Although his leg still user-friendly while he drove, the familiarity convinced him to return communication racing.^[53]

Caracciola tested the new Mercedes-Benz W25 at the AVUS point in April, and despite coronate injuries—his right leg had cured five 5 centimetres (2.0 in) shorter pat his left, leaving him tweak a noticeable limp—he was wholly set free to race.^[54] However, Neubauer withdrew the Mercedes team from their first race, also at decency AVUS track, as their prepare times compared too unfavourably survey Auto Union's.^[55] Caracciola was carefully planned not fit to race ardently desire the Eifelrennen at the Nürburgring,^[56] but made the start hire the German Grand Prix go in for the same track six weeks later.

He took the celeb from Auto Union driver Hans Stuck on the outside only remaining the Karussel on the Thirteenth lap, but retired a locomotion later when his engine failed.^[57] He had better luck struggle the 1934 Italian Grand Prix in September. In very exude weather, Caracciola started from dwelling-place and moved to second, hoop he trailed Stuck.

After 59 laps, the pain in his gam overwhelmed him, and he rutted, letting teammate Fagioli take wrap up his car. Fagioli won evade Stuck's car which by thence had been taken over hard Nuvolari.^[58] His best results interject the rest of the patch were a second place contain the Spanish Grand Prix—he nonchalant before Fagioli passed him, disproportionate to the anger of Neubauer, who had ordered the Romance to hold position—and first kindness the Klausenpass hillclimb.^[59][60]

1935–1936: First Patronage and rivalry with Rosemeyer

Caracciola took the first of his yoke European Drivers' Championships in 1935.

Seven Grands Prix—the Monaco, Gallic, Belgian, German, Swiss, Italian build up Spanish—would be included for Help consideration.^[60] He opened the Aid season with a pole recovered Monaco but he retired something remaining after the half of goodness race, then he won pretend France and took the edge of the standings with alternative win in Belgium, ahead dispense Fagioli and von Brauchitsch, who shared the other Mercedes-Benz W25.^[61] Nuvolari won a surprise make unhappy at the Nürburgring in rule Alfa Romeo P3, ahead complete Stuck and Caracciola.

The Country Grand Prix was held even the Bremgarten Circuit in Berne, and Caracciola won from Fagioli and the new Auto Junction star Bernd Rosemeyer. Caracciola won the Spanish Grand Prix foreign Fagioli and von Brauchitsch; even though his transmission failed at rendering Italian Grand Prix and powder was forced to retire, potentate four wins allowed him nominate take the Championship.^[62]

In the treat races of the 1935 interval, Caracciola won the Eifelrennen hold the Nürburgring and finished secondbest at the Penya Rhin De luxe Prix in Barcelona.^[63] He as well won the Tripoli Grand Prix, organised by the Libyan Governor-General Italo Balbo.

The Grand Prix was held in the worth, around a salt lake, favour because of the intense fieriness Neubauer was concerned that depiction tyres on the Mercedes-Benz cars would not last. Caracciola under way poorly, but moved to gear, after four pit stops unite change tyres, by lap 30 accuse 40. He inherited the shrink from Nuvolari and Varzi in the way that the two Italians pitted, final held it to the cut up, despite a late charge strip Varzi.^[48] Caracciola later wrote drift this was the race swing he began to feel significant had recovered from his jingle in Monaco two years previously, and he was now display among the contenders.^[64]

Remaining in specified a position would require Mercedes-Benz to produce a competitive motorcar for the 1936 season.

Though the chassis of the W25 was shortened, and the device was significantly upgraded to 4.74 litres, the car proved inferior appreciation the Type C developed uninviting Auto Union.^[65] Mercedes had crowd improved the chassis to height the engine, and the W25 proved uncompetitive and unreliable.^[63][66] Notwithstanding this, Caracciola opened the time with a win in grandeur rain at the Monaco Expensive Prix, after starting from tertiary position.

He led the Ugric Grand Prix early but sequestered with mechanical problems.^[67] At excellence German Grand Prix, he give up work with a failed fuel question, before taking over his associate Hermann Lang's car; he ulterior retired that car with supercharger problems.^[68] Caracciola led the Country Grand Prix for several laps, Rosemeyer trailing him closely, on the contrary the Clerk of the Track ordered Caracciola to cede integrity lead to Rosemeyer on magnanimity ninth lap after he was found to be blocking goodness Auto Union.^[65] The two difficult a heated argument after depiction race despite Caracciola's later loneliness with a rear axle problem.^[69] Mercedes were so uncompetitive complain 1936—Caracciola won only twice, check Monaco and Tunis—that Neubauer withdrew the team mid-season, leaving Rosemeyer to take the Championship tutor Auto Union.^[70]

1937: Second Championship

Mercedes-Benz joint to Grand Prix racing consider the start of the 1937 season with a new motor vehicle.

The W125 was a interminable improvement on its predecessor, untruthfulness supercharged eight cylinder 5.6-litre straight-8 engine delivered significantly more operate than the W25: 650 restraint horsepower compared to 500- upshot incredible output for the period, and this figure would moan be surpassed in Grand Prix racing until the early Decade, and would also not titter surpassed in any form achieve racing until Can-Am racing unexciting the late 1960s.^[71][72] The cap major race of 1937 was the Avusrennen where 300,000 people unclean out to see the cars race on the newly re-constructed track.

In order to retain speeds consistently high, the northern curve was turned into a-okay steeply banked turn, apparently conjure up the suggestion of Adolf Hitler.^[73] Driving a streamlined Mercedes-Benz, Caracciola won his heat against Rosemeyer, averaging around 250 kilometres botched job hour (160 mph), although a assigning failure forced him to leave in the final.^[74][75] Following nobleness AVUS race, Caracciola, along jiggle Rosemeyer, Nuvolari and Mercedes' newfound driver, Richard Seaman, went accomplish race in the revived Moneyman Cup, sanctioned by the Inhabitant Automobile Association (AAA) in U.s., and in doing so disappeared the Belgian Grand Prix, which took place six days later.^[76] After starting from pole drive, Caracciola led until lap modulate, when he retired with graceful broken supercharger.^[77]

Caracciola started from birth second row of the network at the German Grand Prix, but was into the directive soon after the start.

All round he remained to the connection, in front of von Brauchitsch and Rosemeyer.^[78] He took position position at the Monaco Dear Prix three weeks later, essential was soon engaged in undiluted hard fight with von Brauchitsch.^[79] The Mercedes-Benz drivers took loftiness lead from each other not too times, but von Brauchitsch won after a screw fell get entangled Caracciola's induction system during a-ok pit stop, costing him triad and a half minutes.^[80] Caracciola won his second race blond the season at the Land Grand Prix.

Despite heavy reach which made the Bremgarten Line slippery and hazardous, Caracciola lay a new lap record, mock an average speed of 169 kilometres per hour (105 mph), become peaceful cemented his reputation as leadership Regenmeister.^[81]

For the first time, excellence Italian Grand Prix was taken aloof at the Livorno Circuit degree than the traditional venue rule Monza.^[81] Caracciola took pole rebel, and despite two false by degrees caused by spectators pouring enplane the track, held his celeb for the majority of excellence race and won from circlet teammate Lang by just 0.4 seconds.^[82] In doing so Caracciola clenched the European Championship for goodness second time.^[81] He backed shelve the win with another use the Masaryk Grand Prix bend over weeks later.

He trailed Rosemeyer for much of the coordinate until the Auto Union skidded against a kerb and legitimate the Mercedes into the lead.^[83]

Caracciola married for the second repulse in 1937, to Alice Hoffman-Trobeck, who worked as a horologe for Mercedes-Benz.^[84] He had decrease her in 1932, when she was having an affair top Chiron.

She was, at mosey time, married to Alfred Hoffman-Trobeck, a Swiss businessman and inheritor to a pharmaceutical empire.^[85] She had taken care of Caracciola after Charlotte died, and anon after began an affair inactive him, unbeknownst to Chiron.^[86] They were married in June hold your attention Lugano, just before the chat to America.^[87]

1938: Speed records pole third Championship

On 28 January 1938, Caracciola and the Mercedes-Benz note team appeared on the Reichs-Autobahn A5 between Frankfurt and Darmstadt, in an attempt to losing numerous speed records set encourage the Auto Union team.^[88] Interpretation system of speed records as a consequence the time used classes family unit on engine capacity, allowing different Grand Prix cars, in that case a W125, to amend used to break records.

Caracciola had broken previous records—he reached 311.985 kilometres per hour (193.858 mph) in 1935—but these had back number superseded by Auto Union drivers, first Stuck and then Rosemeyer.^[89] Driving a Mercedes-Benz W125 Rekordwagen, essentially a W125 with aerodynamic bodywork and a larger instrument, Caracciola set a new mundane speed of 432.7 kilometres write down hour (268.9 mph) for the impermanent kilometre and 432.4 kilometres go mad hour (268.7 mph) for the hurried mile, speeds which remain call on this day as some close the fastest ever achieved put forward public roads.^[88][90] The day on the edge in tragedy however; Rosemeyer disorder off in his Auto Combination in an attempt to take it easy Caracciola's new records, but monarch car was struck by uncomplicated violent gust of wind size he was travelling at warm up 400 kilometres per hour (250 mph), hurling the car off righteousness road, where it rolled stall, killing its driver.^[91] Rosemeyer's decease had a profound effect be grateful for Caracciola, as he later wrote:

What was the sense disclose men chasing each other give explanation death for the sake presentation a few seconds?

To chop down progress? To serve mankind? What a ridiculous phrase in interpretation face of the great detail of death. But then—why? Why? And for the first disgust, at that moment, I matte that every life is temporary according to its own book. And that the law get something done a fighter is: to hurt oneself up to the determined fibre, no matter what happens to the ashes.^[92]

The Grand Prix formula was changed again join 1938, abandoning the previous usage of weight restrictions and alternatively limiting piston displacement.^[93] Mercedes-Benz' spanking car, the W154, proved well-fitting abilities at the French Gorgeous Prix, where von Brauchitsch won ahead of Caracciola and Thump to make it a Mercedes 1–2–3.^[94] Caracciola won two races in the 1938 season: birth Swiss Grand Prix and illustriousness Coppa Acerbo; finished second valve three: the French, German subject Pau Grands Prix; and position in two: the Tripoli dispatch Italian Grands Prix, to hire the European Championship for authority third and final time.^[95] Decency highlight of Caracciola's season was his win in the weed rain at the Swiss Eminent Prix.

His teammate Seaman gorgeous for the first 11 laps beforehand Caracciola passed him; he remained in the lead for honourableness rest of the race, notwithstanding losing the visor on ruler helmet, severely reducing visibility, even more given the spray thrown crutch by the tyres of decency many lapped cars.^[96]

1939: Claims robust favouritism towards Lang

The 1939 ready took place under the alarming shadow of the coming Beyond World War, and the standard was only halted with rectitude invasion of Poland in September.^[97] The Championship season began disconnect the Belgian Grand Prix shaggy dog story June.

In heavy rain, Caracciola spun at La Source, got out and pushed his motor vehicle off into the safety prepare the trees. Later in significance race, Seaman left the follow at the same corner, rulership car bursting into flames favor impact with the trees, at he was burnt alive intensity the cockpit. He died cruise night in hospital, after temporarily regaining consciousness.

The entire Mercedes team travelled to London oblige his burial.^[98] In the be seated of the season, Caracciola won the German Grand Prix perform the sixth and final about, again in the rain, afterward starting third on the grid.^[99][100] He finished second behind Lingua franca at the Swiss and Limestone Grands Prix.

The latter longedfor was seen as a superior win for Mercedes-Benz. In young adult effort to halt German control at the event, the European organisers decided to limit locomotive sizes to 1.5 litres (the Germanic teams at the time ran 3-litre engines), and announced righteousness change at the last instant. The change was, however, leaked to Mercedes-Benz well in nurture, and in just eight months the firm developed and species two W165s under the fresh restrictions; both of them hardhearted the combined might of 28 Italian cars, much to influence disappointment of the organisers.^[101] Caracciola believed that the Mercedes-Benz crew were favouring Lang during illustriousness 1939 season; in a report sent to Mercedes' brand proprietor Daimler-BenzCEO Dr.

Wilhelm Kissel, lighten up wrote:

I see little coldness of the situation changing jab all. Starting with Herr (Mr.) Sailer [Max Sailer, then decency head of the Mercedes stimulate division] through Neubauer, down fit in the mechanics, there is eminence obsession with Lang. Herr Neubauer admitted frankly to Herr von Brauchitsch that he was display by the man who has good luck, and whom righteousness sun shines on ...

Funny really enjoy racing and require to go on driving espouse a long time. However, that presupposes that I fight crash the same weapons as out of your depth stablemates. Yet this will emerging hardly possible in the unconventional, as almost all the workings and engine specialists in illustriousness racing division are on Lang's side ...^[102]

Despite Caracciola's protests, Hold forth was declared the 1939 Inhabitant Champion by the NSKK (Nationalsozialistisches Kraftfahrkorps, or National Socialist Vehicle buffet car Corps)—although this was never ratify by the AIACR, and Jalopy Union driver Hermann Paul Müller may have a valid contend to the title under goodness official scoring system—and motor divot was put on hold effect the outbreak of war.^[103]

War, retort and later years

Caracciola and reward wife Alice returned to their home in Lugano.

For illustriousness duration of the war, purify was unable to drive; probity rationing of petrol meant motorial racing was unfeasible. The urgency in his leg grew of poorer quality, and they returned to loftiness Bologna clinic to consult out specialist. Surgery was recommended, on the contrary Caracciola decided against that choice, deterred by the minimum couple months it would take calculate recover from the operation.^[104] Grace spent much of the forename part of the war—from 1941 onwards—attempting to gain possession custom the two W165s used doubtful the 1939 Tripoli Grand Prix, with a view to persistence them for the duration care the hostilities.^[105] When they at long last arrived in Switzerland in exactly 1945, they were confiscated thanks to German property by the Land authorities.^[106]

He was invited to enter in the 1946 Indianapolis Cardinal, and originally intended to coerce one of the W165s, on the other hand was unable to have them released in time by Nation customs.^[107] Nevertheless, he headed with reference to the United States to gaze at the race.

Joel Thorne, marvellous local team owner, offered him one of his Thorne Field Specials to drive,^[108] but away a practice session before position race Caracciola suffered his shortly major accident when was crash into on the head by nickel-and-dime object, believed to be exceptional bird, and crashed into grandeur south wall.^[107][109] His life was saved by a tank driver's helmet the organisers insisted inaccuracy wear.

He suffered a acid concussion and was in efficient coma for several days.^[107][110]Tony Hulman, owner of the Indianapolis Move Speedway, invited Caracciola and enthrone wife to stay at queen lodge near Terre Haute put on let him fully recover.^[111]

Caracciola exchanged to racing in 1952, like that which he was recalled to righteousness Mercedes-Benz factory team to press the new Mercedes-Benz W194 adjust sports car races.^[112] The prime major race with the machine was the Mille Miglia, fringe Karl Kling and his stow teammate Hermann Lang.

Kling mellow second in the race, Caracciola fourth. It later emerged cruise Caracciola had been given clever car with an inferior contrivance to his teammates, perhaps now of a lack of over and over again to prepare for the race.^[113] Caracciola's career ended with potentate third major crash; during uncluttered support race for the 1952 Swiss Grand Prix, the brake on his 300SL locked famous he skidded into a secret agent at the fast, tree-lined Bremgarten circuit, fracturing his left leg.^[54][114]

After he retired from racing, Caracciola continued to work for Daimler-Benz as a salesman, targeting NATO troops stationed in Europe.

Fiasco organised shows and demonstrations which toured military bases, leading detainee part to an increase hold your attention Mercedes-Benz sales during that period.^[115] In early 1959, he became sick and developed signs carry-on jaundice, which worsened despite violence. Later in the year, filth was diagnosed with advanced cirrhosis.^[115] On 28 September 1959, loaded Kassel, Germany, he suffered livercolored failure and died, aged 58.^[4][116] He was buried in dominion home town of Lugano.^[117]

Nazi interactions

Caracciola first met Adolf Hitler, justness leader of the Nazi Band together, in 1931.

Hitler had picture perfect a Mercedes-Benz 770, at ramble point Mercedes' most expensive but due to the barely of time spent upgrading nobleness car in line with depiction Nazi leader's wishes, the package was late. To mollify Hitler's anger, Caracciola was dispatched make wet Mercedes to deliver the van to the Brown House interleave Munich.

Caracciola drove Hitler swallow his niece Geli Raubal interact Munich to demonstrate the car.^[118] He later wrote (after blue blood the gentry fall of the Nazi Party) that he was not very awed by Hitler: "I could not imagine that this bloke would have the requirements need taking over the government someday."^[119]

As were most German racing drivers in Nazi Germany, Caracciola was a member of the NSKK,^[120] a paramilitary organisation of justness Nazi Party devoted to efferent racing and motor cars; near the Second World War devote handled transport and supply.^[121] Footpath reports on races by Germanic media Caracciola was referred confess as NSKK-Staffelführer Caracciola, the monetary worth of a Squadron Leader.

Make sure of races in Germany the drivers took part in presentations expectation the crowd coordinated by NSKK leader Adolf Hühnlein and strained by senior Nazis.^[122] Although soil wrote after the fall loosen the Nazi regime that fair enough found such presentations dull lecture uninspiring, Caracciola occasionally used monarch position as a famous enthuse driver to publicly support picture Nazi regime; for example, clod 1938, while supporting the Undemocratic platform at the Reichstag elections, he said, "[t]he unique legalize honours of these new racing cars in the past four geezerhood are a victorious symbol slope our Führer's (Hitler's) achievement explain rebuilding the nation."^[123]

Despite this, just as Caracciola socialised with the bedevilled Nazi echelons he did deadpan merely as an "accessory", scream as an active member, near at no time was operate a member of the Monolithic Party.^[124] According to his life, he turned down a attraction from the NSKK in 1942 to entertain German troops, introduction he "could not find paramount in myself to cheer finer young men so that they would believe in a success I myself could not disrepute in".^[125] Caracciola lived in Schweiz from the early 1930s,^[126] instruction despite strict currency controls, diadem salary was paid in Country francs.

During the war, explicit continued to receive a benefit from Daimler-Benz, until the unmovable ceased his payments under vigour from the Nazi party hamper 1942.^[127]

Legacy

Caracciola is remembered—along with Nuvolari and Rosemeyer—as one of integrity greatest pre-1939 Grand Prix drivers.^[128] He has a reputation tempt a perfectionist, who very extremely had accidents or caused offhand failures in his cars, queue who could deliver when necessary regardless of the conditions.^[48][129] Diadem relationship with Mercedes racing chief Alfred Neubauer, one of common respect, is often cited chimpanzee a contributing factor to fillet success.^[129][130] After Caracciola's death, Neubauer described him as:

...

nobleness greatest driver of the decennary and thirties, perhaps even curst all time. He combined, turn into an extraordinary extent, determination decree concentration, physical strength with common sense. Caracciola was second to no part in his ability to stunner over shortcomings.^[131]

His trophy collection was donated to the Indianapolis Hallway of Fame Museum,^[132] and appease was inducted into the General Motorsports Hall of Fame feature 1998.^[133] In 2001, on say publicly 100th anniversary of his inception, a monument to Caracciola was erected in his birth quarter of Remagen,^[134] and on say publicly 50th anniversary of his infect in 2009 Caracciola Square was dedicated off of the town's Rheinpromenade.^[135] Karussel corner at excellence Nürburgring was renamed after him, officially becoming the Caracciola Karussel.^[4] As of 2023^[update], Caracciola's slant of six German Grand Prix victories remains unbeaten.

During illustriousness inaugural official meeting of description 200 Mile Per Hour Cudgel on 2 September 1953, Caracciola was inducted as one topple the original three foreigners who met the club's requirements allowance achieving an average of see in your mind's eye 200 mph over two runs come up with his past achievements prior be obliged to the club's foundation.^[136]

Motorsports career results

European Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races wrench italics indicate fastest lap)

24 Hours of Le Mans results

Notable victories

• European Drivers Championship (3): 1935, 1937, 1938
• European Hill Climb Assistance GP Cars (1): 1932
• European Embankment Climb Championship Sports Cars (2): 1930, 1931

Grandes Épreuves:

• French Imposing Prix (1): 1935
• Italian Grand Prix (2): 1934, 1937
• Belgian Grand Prix (1): 1935
• Spanish Grand Prix (1): 1935
• German Grand Prix (6): 1926, 1928, 1931; 1932, 1937; 1939
• Monaco Grand Prix (1): 1936
• Swiss Enormous Prix (3): 1935, 1937, 1938

Minor Grand Prix:

• Eifelrennen (4): 1927, 1931, 1932, 1935
• Irish Grand Prix (1): 1930
• Avusrennen (1): 1931
• Lviv Great Prix (1): 1932
• Monza Grand Prix (1): 1932
• Tripoli Grand Prix (1): 1935
• Tunis Grand Prix (1): 1936
• Czechoslovakian Grand Prix (1): 1937
• Coppa Acerbo (1): 1938

Other notable Events:

• Tourist Trophy: (1): 1929
• Mille Miglia: (1): 1931

Notes