Hawthorn, John Michael

John Michael Hawthorn, byname Mike Hawthorn, (born April 10, 1929, Mexborough, Yorkshire, Eng.—died Jan. 22, 1959, near Onslow, Surrey), automobile racer who became the first British world-champion driver (1958).

Hawthorn won his first motorcycle race at 18, turned to sports cars at 21, and two years later, driving a Cooper–Bristol, defeated Juan Manuel Fangio at Goodwood. In 1953, driving for Ferrari, he won the French Grand Prix from Fangio; in 1955 he won the tragic Le Mans race, during which 83 spectators were killed. He raced for Ferrari in 1957 and 1958. Hawthorn was killed in a road accident about six weeks after announcing his retirement from racing.