. click photo for videoThe 1952 Formula One season started after undergoing a rule restructure at the end of the 1951 season. In an effort to promote competition, and in particular to prevent a Ferrari dominated championship now that Alfa had withdrawn, the FIA ran Formula One under Formula Two rules. The changes worked and wealth of new teams sprung up, although none of them were able to challenge Ferrari.
The 1953 F1 Season was in keeping with the Formula Two rules used for a second consecutive season. This meant that there was a small number of Formula One teams surrounded by numerous lesser formulae teams and, as with prior years, the F1 championship races were ran alongside Formula Two races. However, only the Formula One races would count towards the championship.
1953 was predicted to be a battle between the dominant Ferrari and the improved Maserati team. Fangio had made a full recovery from the injuries that saw him miss the 1952 season and spearheaded the Maserati team. Fangio was supported by his protege Onofre Marimon and the very quick Gonzalez. At Ferrari 1952 world champion Ascari was joined by Farina, Villeresi and new recruit Mike Hawthorn. Hawthorn’s fantastic performances in 1952 being enough to impress Enzo Ferrari.
The 1954 F1 Season finally saw a review of the rules that stated Formula One races were run to Formula Two rules, and with that the restrictions to a 2.5 litre engine were out. The second big news story was that Mercedes would return to Grand Prix racing and they did so determined to win.
Mercedes signed Juan Manuel Fangio and it was clear from the off that they would pose a serious threat. Despite spending five successful seasons with the Ferrari marque Alberto Ascari decided he needed a stronger team and left for Lancia who were developing a new car.
As it happened neither Lancia nor Mercedes has their cars ready for the season opener in Argentina. At the beginning of the race Jose Froilan Gonzalez led in Nino Farina in the Ferraris but when rain hit Fangio passed and went on to win in a borrowed Maserati. Ferrari protested post-race that too many mechanics had serviced Fangio’s car during the pit stop (the maximum was three) but the protest was thrown out.
The 1956 F1 season started without the Mercedes team who withdrew from 1955 leaving Fangio and Moss searching for new drives. Fangio joined Ferrari who’s cars were modified by Lancias for the ’55 season, while Moss searched for a British team but settled for Maserati.
Italian teams were again a dominant with Ferrari partnering Fangio with Luigi Muss, Eugenio Castellotti and Englishman Peter Collins, while in the Maserati camp Moss was supported by Jean Behra and Cesare Perdisa. Fangio would leave Ferrari at the end of the season to join Maserati having doubted the quality of the preparation.
The 1957 Formula One season was the eighth season of FIA Formula One motor racing. Once again, Juan Manuel Fangio drove to victory, marking his fourth consecutive title and fifth in total – an astonishing achievement and one which would not be matched for nearly fifty years.
Both Fangio and Sterling Moss switched teams from the previous season. By this stage, Vanwall had developed their car into a serious prospect for the championship and Moss joined them to help refine the machine. Fangio, meanwhile, replaced Moss’ previous role and found himself driving the sensational looking Maserati 250F; a car which perfectly complimented his elegant driving style.
The 1958 F1 season was the year that the Formula One Constructors championship was launched having been a driver only championship since its inception in 1950.
1958 was the year Englishman Mike Hawthorn finally won the world championship after a thrilling battle with Sterling Moss and Vanwall were victors over the Ferraris. The season however had both moments of elation and tragedy.
The 1959 F1 season started with the surprise withdrawal of the Vanwall team over the winter, just as it was reaching peak competitiveness. Nevertheless the British honour was upheld by BRM, Cooper and Lotus.
After the tragedies of 1958 Ferrari underwent big changes. Brooks joined from Vanwall and was joined by Behra from BRM. Phil Hill, who was an occasional Ferrari driver in 1958 but was awarded a full time drive for 1959. Sterling Moss meanwhile would split his time between Walker’s Cooper-Climax and BRM.
Climax had historically run smaller engines than some others but in 1959 the ran a full 2.5 litre unit. While the engine still gave away a little power, the chassis was excellent and boasted superior handling. With Argentina being cancelled the season opener was at Monaco where Behra led in the Ferrari until retiring, Moss’s Cooper then expired and Brabham swept by to take his first victory.
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