Otto Wilhelm Rudolf Caracciola (30 January 1901 – 28 September 1959), more commonly
Rudolf Caracciola , was a
racing driver from
Remagen, Germany. He won the
European Drivers' Championship, the pre-1950 equivalent of the modern
Formula One World Championship, an unsurpassed three times. He also won the
European Hillclimbing Championship three times – twice in
sports cars, and once in Grand Prix cars. Caracciola raced for
Mercedes-Benz during their original dominating
Silver Arrows period, named after the silver colour of the cars, and set speed records for the firm. He was affectionately dubbed
Caratsch by the German public, and was known by the title of
Regenmeister, or "Rainmaster", for his prowess in wet conditions.