The original 'Red Baron'

Our thoughts are with Michael Schumacher today on the 49th birthday of the most successful driver in F1's history.

At the height of his career with Ferrari, Schumacher was labeled 'The Red Baron', but the moniker could have also applied to one Wolfgang von Trips.

The son of a noble Rhineland family, and a Count rather than a Baron, von Trips drove for Ferrari between 1957, his maiden year in F1, and his tragic death in 1961.

On track to win the world championship from Scuderia team mate Phil Hill, the talented German driver was killed at the championship's last round at Monza, in a horrific crash which claimed the life of fourteen spectators.