Roberto Mieres

Former F1 driver


image-size = 150
pixels = 150
Name = Roberto Mieres
Nationality = flagicon|Argentina Argentinian | Years = F1|1953-F1|1955
Team(s) = Gordini, Maserati
Races = 17
Championships = 0
Wins = 0
Podiums = 0
Points = 13
Poles = 0
Fastest laps = 1
First race = 1953 Dutch Grand Prix
First win =
Last win =
Last race = 1955 Italian Grand Prix

Roberto Mieres (born December 3, 1924cite web |url=http://www.oldracingcars.com/bydriver/watn.asp?letter=M |title= The World Championship drivers - Where are they now? |accessdate=2007-07-29 |last=Jenkins |first=Richard |publisher=OldRacingCars.com] ) is a former racing driver from Mar del Plata, Argentina. He participated in 17 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on June 7, 1953. He scored a total of 13 championship points.

Formula One & sports car racer

Mieres was behind the wheel of a Gordini in the May 1953 Grand Prix d'Albi in Albi, France. He scored a 4th position at the end. ["Frenchman Wins Automobile Race", Los Angeles Times, June 1, 1953, Page C2.] He finished 3rd in a Gordini in a sports car handicap race at Caen, in July 1953. His time was 2 hours, 55 minutes,and 17 seconds. The event was won by Jean Chancel. ["Bayol Takes Auto Race", New York Times, July 27, 1953, Page 23.] In January 1954 Mieres came in 2nd at the Buenos Aires Grand Prix. Maurice Trintignant was victorious after Mike Hawthorn skidded close to the finish. ["Sports In Brief", Los Angeles Times, February 1, 1954, Page C2.] The tailof Mieres' Maserati caught fire during the 1954 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps. After belatedly realizing this, he slammed on brakes and jumped to safety. ["Hot Race", New York Times, June 24, 1954, Page 37.] Mieres placed 5th in a Maseratiat the 1954 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. His average speed was 86.18 miles per hour. ["Argentine Driver Triumphs In Rain", New York Times, July 18, 1954, Page S4.] In the 1957 City of Buenos Aires sports car race Mieres drove a Jaguar 3,500 to a4th place finish. His driving partner was Ninian Sanderson of Scotland. ["Ferrari Is First At Buenos Aires", New York Times,January 21, 1957, Page 41.] Mieres teamed with Anton Van Dorey for a 4th place finish at the 1960 12 Hours of Sebring. ["Gendebien's Porsche Takes Sebring Race Fatal to Two", New York Times, March 27, 1960, Page S1.]

Accident in Cuba

It is likely that an oil slick from a broken oil line in Mieres' Porsche caused a tragic wreck at the 1958 Gran Premio, Cuba'spremiere auto race. Armando Garcia Cifuentes skidded his yellow and black Ferrari on the large oil deposit. He crashed into a grandstand where 150,000 observers gathered to watch the event.Garcia Cifuentes' car jumped a curb, turned sidewise, and plowed intothe crowd. At least four people were killed and fifty more injured by the out of control Ferrari's impact. Phil Hill rolled his car to a stop immediately after the race was red flagged. He exclaimed, "There is a terrible slick on the course." Only a few seconds later the Ferrari careened into spectators. Mieres came into the pits on the previous lap to replenish oil he had lost with a broken oil line. The fatal crash occurred after the cars had gone five laps on the Havana circuit. Cifuentes made a desperate effort to control his car but failed to do so. The Ferrari was finally stopped by a huge construction crane. Cifuentes sustained facial lacerations and severe bruises. ["Crash Kills 4 In Cuba Auto Race; Rebel Kidnappers Free Fangio", New York Times, February 25, 1958, Page 1.]

Complete Formula One World Championship results

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:"* Indicates shared drive with Jean Behra

References