Massimo Natili (28 July 1935 – 19 September 2017) was an Italian racing driver who made two appearances in F1. He entered the championship for the first time at the 1961 British Grand Prix.
Natili stepped into Formula One with Scuderia Centro Sud in 1961. His season began at the non-championship Syracuse Grand Prix, where his race ended in retirement. He then attempted to qualify for the Naples Grand Prix but was unable to secure a place on the starting grid.
His Formula One World Championship debut came at the 1961 British Grand Prix. Unfortunately, the occasion lasted only a matter of moments, as a gearbox failure forced him to retire on the opening lap. Natili later took part in practice for the Italian Grand Prix, although he did not start the race.
The following year brought one of the most dramatic moments of his career. During a Formula Junior event at Monza in 1962, Natili was caught in a serious, fiery accident. He was pulled from the wreckage by an unidentified spectator, whose quick intervention helped rescue him from the burning car.
Natili later returned to competition and continued racing beyond Formula One. After retiring from the 1963 Rome Grand Prix, he produced a much stronger result in the same event the following year, finishing fourth. He subsequently moved into Italian Formula 3, extending his career even after a frightening escape.
