It was this utter disregard for personal safety, and a determination unlike any other, that made him one of the greatest racers to have ever lived—and yet he's rarely uttered in the same regard as the likes of Fangio, Schumacher, Villeneuve or Senna, despite Ferdinand Porsche declaring him the "the greatest driver of the past, the present and the future."

This is in part because Nuvolari was pre-Formula One, so his 24 Grand Prix victories lack the same notoriety. Still, five wins at the Coppa Ciano, two at the Mille Miglia, two victories at the Targa Florio, two RAC Tourist Trophies, a 24 Hours of Le Mans victory and a European Championship speak to the talent of this effervescent Italian.