It's well known that sport and politics don't mix. But while most sportsmen feel uneasy in the world of politics, politicians have historically been all too keen to become involved in sport.
In 1958 President Fulgencio Batista was trying to retain an air of normality to Cuba. Fidel Castro's guerrilla forces were camping in the mountains and rioters were becoming more aggressive in the streets, but in downtown Havana Batista was keen for business to continue as usual.
Batista's vision was for the capital to become a Latino Las Vegas, where rich tourists from the United States would pump money into the country's coffers. And what better way to attract the wealthy and frivolous than a motor race.
The first Cuban Grand Prix was held in 1957 and by all accounts it had been a great success. Juan Manuel Fangio, the No. 1 driver of the era, won the race in front of streets lined with enthusiastic and curious spectators. In 1958 a repeat event was scheduled, but with the revolution less than a year away things did not go quite so smoothly.
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