Meet the F1 driver who won a race at 53 and died after Monaco Grand Prix accident

In the modern era of Formula One, driving beyond your early 40s is unprecedented. However, in 1954, Luigi Fagioli enjoyed his only career victory, aged 53. Even crazier still, he wasn't even in the car when the chequered flag dropped.

Born in 1898 in Osimo, Italy, Fagioli's victory at the French Grand Prix makes him the only driver born in the 19th century to win an officially sanctioned F1 race. He started just seven times for Alfa Romeo across two seasons, before his untimely death in 1952.

Fagioli competed in the first-ever F1 World Championship in 1950, but even his participation was a near miracle. He was a regular threat in the European Championship series throughout the 1930s, but in 1936 he developed numerous health problems - most notably rheumatism - and was unable to drive.

His health improved enough to take part in the inaugural F1 season, partnering up with future five-time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio. During his maiden campaign, he finished on the podium in all five races he finished, with his only retirement coming at the Monaco Grand Prix.

The following year, he didn't take part in the opening three rounds of the calendar. However, at the French GP, he claimed his only F1 win in what would transpire to be his final race. With team-mate Fangio's car struggling with engine problems from lap 10 onwards, Fagioli was the best-placed Alfa Romeo driver.

However, when he came in for a fuel stop, Alfa Romeo ordered him to swap cars with Fangio - something that was legal at the time. Fagioli obliged and eventually finished 11th, 22 laps down, while his team-mate went on to win.

As Fagioli had completed part of the race, he was classified as a joint winner and received half points along with Fangio. However, the Italian was so furious with his team that he quit the sport entirely, walking out on F1 for good.

He ended his career with a remarkable record of finishing on the podium every time he took the chequered flag. Unfortunately for the Italian, his motorsport career outside of F1 ended in tragic circumstances just one year later.

While preparing for the Monaco Grand Prix - which was still a sports car race at this point, rather than the spectacle we know today - he crashed during practice. Fagioli was eventually taken to a hospital in Monte Carlo, where he passed away three weeks after his crash.