1956 German Grand Prix

Fangio again

Adenau (Eifel), August 5th

Probably the most outstanding thing about the German Grand Prix was the fact that no British cars were entered. Not one of our Grand Prix teams made an entry which was not only surprising, but depressing as well. It was left to Italy, the real home of Grand Prix racing, to make up the bulk of the runners for one of the toughest events in the World Championship series. The Nürburgring itself is sufficient test to prove a sound car, but to race round it for 22 laps calls for terrific stamina from the drivers. Ferrari entered a full team of five Lancia/Ferraris, driven by Fangio, Collins, Castellotti, de Portago and Musso, the last-named making his first re-entry into racing since his crash in the 1,000-kilometre race back in May. All the cars were the now standard type, with small pannier tanks strapped onto the cockpit sides and the main tank in the tail, with the body spreading out the full width of the car between the wheels and having the exhaust pipes inside these hollow side pieces, and ending in four megaphones on each side. Opposed to this powerful team were three works Maseratis, to be driven by Moss, Behra and Perdisa, these all being normal carburetter 250/F1 models. Gordini entered two of his eight-cylinder cars, with Manson and Pilette as drivers, and the rest of the field was made up by private owners and private Scuderias. The Centro-Sud team entered Schell on their Maserati and Scarlatti with their old 2-litre Ferrari, while Maglioli had the Scuderia Guastalla Maserati and Villoresi was to drive Piotti's similar car. Rosier, Gould, Halford, Salvadori, Godia and Volonterio were all driving their regular Maseratis, so that the bulk of the entry of 19 cars emanated from Modena.

Race Results

Qualifying

Circuit - Nurburgring

Country

Germany

Location

Nurburg, Rhineland-Palatinate

Type

Permanent road course

Length

14.167 (Miles)

Record

Jim Clark (Lotus 33-Climax), 8m24.1, 101.173 mph, F1, 1965

3,432

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