Tazio Nuvolari finished his career with 150 racing victories, including 72 major titles spanning from motorcycle road racing to Grand Prix circuits. Born in Castel d'Ario on 16 November 1892, he transitioned from two-wheeled competition to become a dominant force in auto racing, eventually securing a European Championship and becoming a fixture in Italian motorsport history.
Early Motorcycle Competition
Nuvolari obtained his motorcycle racing license in 1915 at age 23. Following service as an ambulance driver during World War I, he entered the Circuito Internazionale Motoristico in Cremona in 1920. By 1925, he established himself as a premier rider, winning the 350cc European Championship on a Bianchi. His endurance was highlighted in September 1925 when, following a severe back injury from a car test crash, he participated in the Nations Grand Prix at Monza. He won the race while heavily bandaged and supported by mechanics.
Success in Auto Racing
After focusing on cars starting in 1931, Nuvolari won the Coppa Ciano and the Targa Florio that same year. In 1932, he drove the Alfa Romeo P3 to victory in the European Championship, beating Baconin Borzacchini by four points. His driving style involved unconventional tactics, such as navigating a Targa Florio course by instructing his mechanic to lie on the floor to lower the vehicle's center of gravity during high-speed turns.
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Nuvolari earned two RAC Tourist Trophy wins in 1930 and 1933. In 1933, he won the Le Mans 24-hour race as a member of Enzo Ferrari's team. His career included stints with various manufacturers, including Maserati and Auto Union, where he competed until the suspension of Grand Prix racing at the onset of World War II. In 1935, he achieved a notable win at the German Grand Prix in an outdated Alfa Romeo, overcoming more powerful Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union vehicles.
Final Years
Following the war, an aging Nuvolari returned to competition despite declining health. His last appearance occurred on 10 April 1950, when he drove a Cisitalia-Abarth Tipo 204A at a Palermo hillclimb. He won his class and finished fifth overall. Nuvolari died on 11 August 1953 in Mantua and was interred at the Mantova Town Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 16 November 1892, Castel d'Ario
- Died: 11 August 1953, Mantua
- Nicknames: il Mantovano Volante, Nuvola
- Total major race wins: 72
- European Championship: 1932
- Le Mans victory: 1933
- Final competition: 10 April 1950
- Burial site: Mantova Town Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Nuvolari's most famous motorcycle achievement?
He won the 350cc European Championship in 1925 riding a Bianchi.
Did he win the European Championship in auto racing?
Yes, he won the European Championship in 1932 driving for Alfa Corse.
What was his final racing appearance?
He won his class at a Palermo hillclimb on 10 April 1950 driving a Cisitalia-Abarth Tipo 204A.
