Five-time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio’s remains won’t be exhumed just yet, following a court order to delay the process after a second person came forward claiming to be the legend’s son.
A court in Mar del Plata – the nearest city to the Argentinian racers place of birth – ruled on Friday that his body should be exhumed for DNA testing in order to verify claims that Oscar Cesar Espinoza is his son.
However that process, which had been due to take place on August 7, has been delayed pending the outcome of a second claim from Ruben Vazquez.
A court in La Plata overruled the former court order, claiming the exhumation shouldn’t take place until the outcome of Vazquez’s case is decided.
This is because the Vazquez case began prior to Espinoza’s and, according to the ruling, a ‘Stay Order’ was placed on Fangio’s body, stopping anyone else from exhuming or moving his remains.
It’s unclear what claim Vazquez has to believe he is the son of Fangio as the former Mercedes driver recognised no children and never married. He did however have a long-term relationship with Andrea Berruet, the mother of the second claimant, Espinoza.
This week marks the 20th anniversary of Fangio’s death. He was 84-years-old when he passed away.
