Rudolf Caracciola Autograph

Profession:
(1901-1959) Racing driver from Remagen, Germany. He won the European Drivers' Championship, the pre-1950 equivalent of the modern Formula One World Championship, an unsurpassed three times.

Year of Birth: 1901

Rudolf Caracciola was a German racing driver who is widely regarded as one of the greatest race car drivers of all time. Born on January 30, 1901 in Remagen, Germany, Caracciola began his racing career in the 1920s, quickly establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with on the track.

Caracciola is best known for his success in grand prix racing, particularly in the 1930s when he dominated the European racing scene. He won the European Drivers' Championship three times, in 1935, 1937 and 1938, a feat that no other driver achieved until Juan Manuel Fangio in the 1950s.

One of Caracciola's most famous victories came in the 1935 German Grand Prix, where he drove a Mercedes-Benz W25 to victory in torrential rain conditions. His ability to adapt to changing weather and track conditions was legendary, earning him the nickname "The Rain Master."

Caracciola's racing career was put on hold during World War II, but he made a comeback in the late 1940s, winning the Swiss Grand Prix in 1947. Despite suffering a near-fatal accident in 1952, Caracciola continued to race until his retirement in 1953.

After retiring from racing, Caracciola worked as a Mercedes-Benz representative and continued to be involved in the motorsport world. He passed away on September 28, 1959, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the greatest drivers in the history of motorsport.