There have been some successful F1 drivers throughout the years, including the likes of Fangio, Lauda, and Schumacher, who, despite having to start as paid drivers, eventually went farther up the grid on the strength of their skill alone. Fangio started out at the age of 22 when he became World Champion in Brazil in 1951. He stayed with the team that season and earned $7250 (about $200,000 today). The following year he drove for another team but only managed 7th place in the world championship standings. In 1954 he returned to France where he had been born and grew up and joined Mercedes. That same year he won his second world title. From then on he was always at or near the top of the pile, never finishing lower than 2nd place. He died in Spain in 1976 at the age of 56 after winning the Spanish Grand Prix. Fangio is considered by many to be one of the greatest drivers of all time. His mastery of wet weather driving has been praised by many fellow drivers and engineers. He is also known for his strict training regimen which included 1,500-2,000 km per week on average. This made him one of the most efficient drivers of all time. As for payments, there were indeed bribes involved back in the day.