Complete calendar with 8 races
The 1956 Formula 1 season saw Juan Manuel Fangio claim his fourth World Championship, remarkably achieving the feat with two different teams in the same year. Following Mercedes-Benz's withdrawal from racing after 1955, Fangio joined Ferrari for what would prove to be his most politically complex championship campaign. The season featured intense rivalry, team politics, and controversial shared drives, all set against the backdrop of Ferrari's internal struggles and the sport's continuing efforts to improve safety following the previous year's tragedies.
Fangio began the season with Ferrari, partnering Peter Collins and Eugenio Castellotti in a strong driver lineup. The Argentine immediately established himself as the team leader, winning the opening round in Argentina and then sharing victory with Luigi Musso at the same circuit. Ferrari's Lancia-Ferrari D50, essentially a development of the advanced Lancia D50 design acquired when that manufacturer withdrew from racing, proved competitive but not dominant. The car's radical outboard fuel tanks and complex engineering required careful setup, and reliability issues would plague Ferrari throughout the season.
The championship battle intensified as the season progressed, with Stirling Moss emerging as a genuine title contender for the first time. Racing for Maserati, Moss won at Monaco and Monza, demonstrating the brilliant racecraft and speed that made him one of the era's greatest drivers. Jean Behra also claimed victory for Maserati at Reims, while Peter Collins won for Ferrari at Spa and Monza. The variety of winners created genuine uncertainty about the championship outcome, a refreshing change from recent seasons of Mercedes dominance.
The season's defining moment came at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, the penultimate round. Fangio's car suffered mechanical issues, forcing him to retire while leading. With the championship on a knife's edge, his young teammate Peter Collins made one of the most selfless gestures in F1 history, voluntarily handing his car to Fangio mid-race. The British driver's sacrifice allowed Fangio to score crucial points and keep his championship hopes alive. Collins' sportsmanship was remarkable given that he was himself in contention for the title, but his decision to prioritize Fangio's championship campaign over his own ambitions earned him lasting respect.
The practice of sharing drives, where drivers could swap cars mid-race and share points, was common in the 1950s but created complications for the championship. Several races featured shared victories, with points divided between drivers who had piloted the same car. This system allowed teams to maximize points but sometimes created confusion about individual driver performance. The 1956 season saw multiple shared drives, including Fangio and Musso's victory in Argentina and Collins and Fangio's points-sharing at Monza.
Maserati's 250F continued its evolution as one of the era's most successful and beautiful racing cars. The Italian manufacturer's private-owner business model allowed privateers to compete with works teams, creating fuller grids and more competitive racing. Stirling Moss drove brilliantly for Maserati, and while he couldn't quite secure the championship, his performances announced him as a future title contender. The 250F's combination of reliability, handling, and driver-friendly characteristics made it the weapon of choice for independent teams and talented drivers lacking works contracts.
Ferrari's internal politics created tensions throughout the season. The Italian team's tendency to favor certain drivers and make questionable strategic decisions sometimes undermined their championship efforts. Fangio, diplomatic and professional, navigated these complexities better than most, but the environment was less harmonious than his time at Mercedes. The contrast between Mercedes' clinical efficiency and Ferrari's passionate but sometimes chaotic approach was stark, though both philosophies had their strengths.
Fangio secured his fourth championship at the final round in Italy, joining the exclusive company of multi-time champions. At 45 years old, he showed no signs of declining speed or racecraft, adapting to different cars and teams with remarkable ease. His championship tally of 30 points edged out Stirling Moss on 27 points and Peter Collins on 25 points, making it one of the closest title fights of the decade. Collins' selfless gesture at Monza had proved decisive, as without those shared points, Fangio might not have secured the title. The season demonstrated that even in an era of mechanical unreliability and dangerous circuits, true greatness could still prevail.