Formula One great Juan Manuel Fangio’s body was exhumed on Friday to resolve a paternity case by two man claiming to be his sons. Judge Rodrigo Cataldo ordered the exhumation carried out at the Argentine town of Balcarce where the five-time Formula One champion was born and died.

“The paternity request was started a long time ago and I’ve had to overcome a lot of blockages and obstacles,” said Ruben Vazquez, aged 73. “There are no economic interests in my request… I just want to be recognised for the Fangio surname.” The man claims his mother, who died in 2012, had signed papers in the presence of a notary claiming Fangio was her son’s father.

The other man is former Formula 3 racing driver Oscar Espinosa, known as “Cacho” Fangio in motor racing circles. Espinosa’s mother Andrea Berruet had a long relationship with Fangio until 1960. The 77-year-old has letters Fangio wrote to his mother asking after him.