Green helmet, white shirt, polka-dot bow-tie and the courage to surprise his colleagues and to make enthusiasts go crazy. He caught the racing bug off his father, the Hawthorn’s started racing with two Rileys, achieving many victories. Mike immediately showed off his outstanding skills and he came fourth at his debut race at the Belgian GP, in 1952.

The following year, he debuted with Ferrari at the Argentinian Temporada, when the public invaded the track, causing deadly accidents. On 5th July, Hawthorn won the French GP, creating his masterpiece. A tenacious race between the Rampant Horse and the Trident, between Hawthorn and Fangio.

In 1954, in Syracuse, his car caught fire causing him painful burns. Not long after, he fell in despair due to the loss of his father. In 1955, he committed to racing with Jaguar for the sports races and with Vanwall in F1. It was an unlucky season, even if he won the tragic 24 Hours of Le Mans, partnering with Bueb. Hawthorn went to fill up making a risky move and triggering the accident. Levegh’s car crashed against the stand, he and eighty-two spectators lost their lives. Mike finished the race as per the rules.

In 1958, after going back to Ferrari, he won the world championship, beating his rival Moss by only one point. A few weeks later he announced his retirement, he didn’t feel motivated to race anymore and he lost his dearest friends in the races, including Peter Collins. Six weeks after his decision he had a deadly accident with his Jaguar… a life which was marked, the joyful gentleman was affected by a fatal disease.