A F1 World Champion Was Kidnapped?!?!?

Juan Manuel Fangio, the champion that was kidnapped.

Over 60 years ago, a F1 world champion was kidnapped! It was none other than Juan Manuel Fangio, the driver who dominated the sport in the first decade. In the late 1950s, the Cuban government wanted to promote tourist attractions in the country. As a result they hosted a sports car race on the streets of Havana.

A poster advertising the Cuban Grand Prix

Many of the best drivers in the day like Stirling Moss, Juan Manuel Fangio, and Peter Collins competed in the race. Fangio won the first event in 1957. The following year, the race was held again. However this time, it didn't go as per plan at all. In 1958, the situation in Cuba was very tense with a group of communist rebels led by future Cuban dictator, Fidel Castro. They were  threatening to start a revolution.

Fidel Castro Leads the Revolution

One of Castro's top men, Faustino Perez had the idea that a good way to get attention to their revolution, was to disrupt the Cuban Grand Prix by kidnapping 5 time F1 World Champion, Juan Manuel Fangio. This caused Fangio to not be able to start the race. The night before the race, Fangio was on his way to dinner when a man approached him with a gun and said, "Come with me." At first, Fangio thought it was a joke before realizing the man was serious. The rebels led him to a car and escorted him to a secret location. Surprisingly, the kidnappers kept apologizing to Fangio for kidnapping him and explained that they meant no harm, but just wanted to draw attention to their rebellion. The rebels quickly made it clear, that Fangio was kidnapped, and the driver himself was allowed to send a note to the press that he was okay. The Cuban government  immediately flung into action and tried to find the champion. Searches were conducted through out the night but found nothing. In the morning, the decision was taken for the race to go ahead without Fangio. Stirling Moss took the win. On the other hand, Fangio was still in the hands of the kidnappers. However, it's not how you think it was, instead of being tied up to a chair with a bag over your head in a cold dark room, Fangio was living the life. He had a comfortable room, all the food and drinks he liked, and even a radio to listen to the race! Fangio declined the radio however.  Faustino Perez even paid him a visit, and explained to him that he would be released after the race and he was released. Fangio was given a note, apologizing to him and even inviting home to come back again as a guest of honor after the revolution. 

Fangio stated that he was not scared during the experience, but looked at it as another adventure. The kidnapping made headlines in newspapers around the world and Fangio was invited to several American talk shows to share his experience. Fangio returned to Cuba in 1981 for a business trip with Mercedes Benz, and met up with Faustino Perez and Fidel Castro! On Fangio's 80th birthday, he got a birthday card signed by "Your Friends, The Kidnappers." Interesting!!!

Thanks to Images from google!