José Froilán González

José Froilán González, an Argentine driver born in 1922, was one of the leading figures of Formula 1's first decade, making twenty-eight starts between 1950 and 1960. His record of two wins, fifteen podiums, three pole positions and seventy-eight points was compiled across spells with Maserati, Talbot-Lago, Ferrari and Vanwall.

After a low-key debut season in 1950, he burst into prominence in 1951, taking his first Grand Prix victory and finishing third in the World Championship with twenty-four points. Two solid Maserati campaigns followed, including sixth in the 1953 standings.

The peak came in 1954 with Ferrari: a win and more than twenty-five points carried him to runner-up in the World Championship, the best classification of his career. Thereafter his appearances grew sparse — occasional drives in 1955, 1956 and 1957 brought a few more points, and after a two-year absence he made a final Ferrari appearance in 1960.

Fifteen podiums from twenty-eight starts represents a podium rate few drivers of any era have matched. González stands with the great Argentine contingent that shaped the championship's early years, a front-runner whenever he raced at full strength.