Fangio, who won the F1 world title in 1951 and then every year from 1954-57 despite a near-fatal crash at Monza in ‘52, is the subject of a lawsuit opened by a man who claims to be his son.

His body will be exhumed on August 7 to analyze his DNA.

The news comes just days before the 20th anniversary of Fangio’s death, which happened on July 17 1995 when he was aged 84.

His body will be removed from the local cemetery of Balcarce, the town where Fangio was born, and will be taken to the nearby city of Mar del Plata, in Buenos Aires so DNA samples can be taken.

The reason is the lawsuit started in 2013 by Oscar Cesar Espinoza, who claims to be Fangio’s descendant.

Fangio never married or had recognized children in his lifetime, although he had a long relationship with a woman, Andrea Berruet, Espinoza’s mother.

Fangio began racing in the 1930s, in a Model A Ford taxi. Famed for his tactical genius, as well as prolific speed when required, he won his titles with Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Mercedes and Ferrari along with 24 Grand Prix victories.