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While researching Mon Ami Mate, Chris Nixon was repeatedly asked if he knew that Mike Hawthorn had a son in France,
the outcome of celebrations after his victory at the French Grand Prix of 1953. He realised he was being told
of a genuine secret that had lain well hidden for many years - and resolved to find out about it if he could.
Mike leading the 1953 Reims Grand Prix - 'The Race of the Century' - where he won and then celebrated with a local girl afterwards...
One of Mike's French friends, Jabby Crombac, had told him that after Mike had won the Grand Prix,
a girl that Mike had spent the night with had become pregnant. From a good family, she was forced to live in the maid's quarters at the house
and wasn't allowed out. The baby, when it came in 1954, had completely white hair and looked just like Mike!
In 1988, Chris went to Reims and, with help from Liz, a local french lady, soon discovered an amazing fact - Mike's son was alive and well!
His name was Arnaud Delaunay and he lived in Reims. Sadly, the mother had died in May 1975. Chris immediately tried
to find Arnaud in Reims but the place was shuttered up for a major holiday. He left but asked Liz to make contact
on his behalf via a letter he had written to Arnaud.
A few weeks after, Liz called in great excitement to tell Chris that Arnaud had read the letter and readily agreed to meet him at any time.
When they met a little later, Chris recalls Arnaud saying 'For as long as I can remember, I have always known that Mike Hawthorn was my father'.
And so the rumours were confirmed at last.
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Arnaud doesn't have Mike's hair - his is black rather than near white - but Chris recognised his dazzling smile instantly and knew
it could only belong to a Hawthorn! He was actually named Arnaud Michael Delaunay - his mother had wanted him named Mike
but the authorities wouldn't allow it as it wasn't a French name. Many of his friends and relatives still call him 'Mike' to this day even so.
You can read the full (and extremely absorbing and intriguing) nine-page story with many photographs in 'Mon Ami Mate' by Chris Nixon.
You'll also see that Mike Hawthorn had actually travelled to Paris in 1953 to meet the expectant mother where she asked him for help....
And that Mike had given Arnaud a ride in his car in 1958 while he was in England with his mother.
Also that Mike's own mother eventually got to know about it after his death and had visited him.
Louise Collins recalls that she noticed a card while looking at the tributes at
Mike's Funeral in 1959.
She removed it since she didn't want Mike's mother to see it at that time. It read simply:
'A mon papa. Michael'
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