The brightest in the history of the race “Formula 1”. Photo

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Самая яркая в истории гонка «Формулы-1». ФотоLike another era.

The man loves to make lists. Person of the year, the main film villain in history, the top 100 most ugly cars in the world. In classified the information is not only better absorbed, but from the looks attractive. Another thing is that objectivity in such collections a little. As, indeed, it is possible to resolve the dispute between Pontiac Aztec and Ssangyong Rodius? Who is the main Quasimodo in the history of the car.

Or that’s the case. The first Grand Prix, “Formula 1” was held on the track “Silverstone” in 1950. this year the “Big circus” was 67 years old. Is it possible in a huge list of 971 races — Yes, the statistics knows all — to find the best one? So many brilliant victories, so many Grand battles. And how many tragedies.

Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but if there was only one attempt on 971 option — it’s the Italian Grand Prix of 1956. The race, which is not something that is impossible to repeat, the current generation of pilots and fans might not even be able to understand what happened.

Самая яркая в истории гонка «Формулы-1». Фото

Enzo with his eagles: Musso, Castellotti, Collins.

In the first autumn weekend of 1956 in the “Monza” fate of the world title F1. On the eve of the Italian Grand Prix, the last start of the season, a real chance at the championship was retained two pilots. Lead by the great Juan-Manuel Fangio — at that time already three times world champion. On account of the Argentine, in the year defending the colors of Ferrari, was listed as 30 points. His closest pursuers — fearless Frenchman Jean Bera of the Maserati and the young Englishman Peter Collins, also defended red “Prancing stallion” — was behind by eight points.

However, given that the world championship was only the five best results of the season, Bera not already claimed the title. But Collins completely. The advantage Fangio at first glance is more than respectable, especially considering the previous points system: 8-6-4-3-2-1, plus 1 point for fastest lap in the race. But don’t forget about the rule of “five best results of the eight”. It turned out, the Treasury of Juan-Manuel “Monza” could fill a place on the podium. Any other result and, of course, win Collins the title went to a competitor.

Самая яркая в истории гонка «Формулы-1». Фото

Lancia Ferrari D50, which brought the team title in 1956.

Naturally, Ferrari has tried to do everything to ensure the desired result. “Scuderia” was exhibited at the Italian Grand Prix six factory cars. In addition to the main pilots of the team, already referred to Fangio, Collins, and Italians Luigi Musso and Eugenio, Castelotti, fast and reliable Lancia Ferrari D50 has at its disposal, the Spaniard Alfonso de Ports and the German Wolfgang von Trips, which debuted on the tracks of the Grand Prix. Maserati replied with two brand new copies of his famous 250F for Jean Bera and Stirling moss. In addition, it was impossible to ignore the riders of team Vanwall — British built very fast, though still a very unreliable car.

Самая яркая в истории гонка «Формулы-1». Фото

Enzo Ferrari and Juan Manuel Fangio.

Qualification was dictated by Ferrari. Right to start from the first row won just three of the red car, and the best time showed that is Fangio once again proved that he’s not only a great strategist outside of the track, but also an extremely fast driver. Ten-round Argentinian has overcome for 2 minutes, and 42.6 seconds.

Peter Collins is a competitor of Juan-Manuel in the fight for the title — were content only in the third row. The only unpleasant episode for Ferrari in qualifying — a strange accident of rookie von Trips. The young German just to get used to the new car and new track, suddenly flew to Curvа Grande — the first corner after the start — at speeds above 200 kilometers per hour. Moreover, flew in all possible senses — the pilot is literally thrown out of the cockpit. Fortunately, Wolfgang escaped with slight shock, bruises and bumps.

Самая яркая в истории гонка «Формулы-1». Фото

“The car just pulled to the right. Don’t understand what happened on that lap I was not driving too fast…” — rubbing the bruises that told the background of the Trips in just half an hour. But no one at Ferrari didn’t pay much attention to the words of a young driver, writing off the incident to simple lack of experience. A wrecked Lancia Ferrari D50 rolled into the pits, not even bothering to spend at least a minimal technical inspection. And for good reason. Even a cursory examination necessarily would have revealed atypical the failure of the steering lever, which in the race will play a crucial role for other factory pilots Ferrari.

Самая яркая в истории гонка «Формулы-1». Фото

In any case, before the start it seemed that the main problem for the “Scuderia” will be the tires. I must say, the Italian Grand Prix of 1956 was conducted on the combined configuration “Monza”, which included the partially shaped curves, where cars develop maximum speed.

However, it is concreted bends represented a serious threat to tires. Just a few rounds in ultimate fighting the monstrous regime of the centrifugal force on a couple of rough concrete pavement began to stratify protector, which threatened trouble abruptly unscheduled pit stop. Moreover, the Belgian Englebert tires mounted on a Ferrari, resist this abrasive a hell of a lot worse than Pirelli, Dunlop and Avon, which were used by the competitors.

That is why experienced Fangio before the race invited the two others started from the first row to the pilots Ferrari and Musso, Castelotti reasonable option tactics. The Argentinian leads the race, save the tyres and increase the advantage over competitors machines, and closer to the finish line skips ahead of the Italians, allowing them to show off in front of the local audience and in internal dispute to decide the fate of the Grand Prix. Logical? Of course. Listen Lee Musso and Castelotti of the Board of the master? Of course not.

Самая яркая в истории гонка «Формулы-1». Фото

Here he is, ruthless to the tire banking “Monza”.

From the first meters after the start, a couple of Italian males rushed forward, desperately fighting with each other and completely forgetting about caution. Less than five laps as their “anglebury” asked mercy. Even from the stands it was seen as the concrete banking from the tires loose chunks of tread. Leaders on the move jumped into the pits, but pereobuchitj, returned to the track only in the second ten.

“Rubber” suffering “Scuderia” continued. The sixth circle could not stand the rear tire on the Ferrari de Ports. The Spaniard turned, then he slowly headed towards the boxes. Soon almost the same number repeated, Castelotti — even new tires could not stand the mindless test-profiled turns “Monza”.

Самая яркая в истории гонка «Формулы-1». Фото

Maserati of Stirling moss pursues a Ferrari Fangio.

The Argentine himself as best he could the shore of the bus, keeping close to the leaders — Maserati of Stirling moss and “Vanwall” Harry Schell. Juan Manuel is the only one of the pilots Ferrari managed to keep the tires Collins by that time, too, has visited the pits and seemed confidently approached the fourth title. Suddenly, shortly before the middle of the race, the car number 22 taxied into the pits. Replacement tires? No, with the Argentinian was something worst, the failure of the right steering lever. Trouble that cannot be resolved in just a few seconds.

Самая яркая в истории гонка «Формулы-1». Фото

Fangio in the pits, something went wrong.

Fangio undid the helmet and sadly sat down at some distance from the machine, around which, like a bunch of ants scurrying mechanics. His chances for the title has not looked so rosy. After all, Collins was perhaps the only driver of the Ferrari that season, who’s in speed, and most importantly — the judgment, could not compete with Fangio. In confirmation of this an Englishman, quite carefully started the race, it is closer to the equator climbed to third and then to second place. A little more pressure, a little luck and a cheerful Peter will become a champion.

Самая яркая в истории гонка «Формулы-1». Фото

For Enzo Ferrari’s Peter Collins will forever remain one of the most beloved pilots.

However, there was still one means. In those years, “Formula 1” was used actively car sharing. If anyone of the pilots broke the machine, then, according to the regulations, he could literally during the race to replace teammate behind the wheel of another car. In this case, the crew earned points equally divided between the two athletes.

When in the pits the Ferrari for a new portion of “englaro” once again dived Luigi Musso, the Italian was asked (just asked, no team orders) give way to driving to Fangio. But Luigi firmly shook his head and pereobuchitj rushed on to the track.

Самая яркая в истории гонка «Формулы-1». Фото

Every time Fangio recalled the events of 2 September 1956, his eyes were dimmed with tears.
What motivated the Italian, who refused to come to the rescue of a comrade at the “Scuderia”, hard to imagine. Perhaps Musso just wanted to share a possible victory with someone else? Dreamed of single-handedly become a national hero? It turns any Italian, who won the Grand Prix of Italy on the Italian car. It may very well be. Looking ahead, it should be noted that not the most noble, that of a sin to conceal, the act is not brought Luigi dividends.

Three laps from the finish by Ferrari at number 28 broke — guess what? That’s right — steering arm. Musso at the time was the leader. Fangio silently sad in the pits. And then there was absolutely incredible, something absolutely inaccessible to the current generation of F1 pilots at all, as they say, respect.

Самая яркая в истории гонка «Формулы-1». Фото

Maserati Luigi Pilotti pushes left without fuel the car of Stirling moss to the box.

After five laps after the pit stop Musso in the pits Ferrari the car drove Collins. Seeing Fangio, sad sitting on the fence between the pit lane and the track and seemed to have reconciled with the disappearing title, Peter immediately understood. He instantly jumped out of the car, behind the seat behind the wheel of an Argentine pilot. “And because no one asked! every time Fangio recalled the events of 2 September 1956, his eyes were dimmed with tears. I spread his arms to hug him and even kissed, and then took the wheel and rushed to the track.”

Самая яркая в истории гонка «Формулы-1». Фото

At the Grand Prix of Italy was everything that we love racing: incredible fight for every meter of distance, a desperate overtaking, spectacular crash, rain, mixing card leaders, the dark horse, declaring themselves in full voice (for the first time in the history of English Vanwall were the leaders during the Grand Prix).

And how to forget the dramatic episode shortly before the finish, when the Maserati 250F moss ran out of fuel (leakage) to the boxes and Stirling literally pushed one of the owners of Modena team Luigi Pilotti. But the main race in the history of the Big prize makes it a fantastic example of the generosity of Peter Collins sacrificed his own chance to become a champion for a teammate.

“Fangio was always an idol for Peter, recalled later his wife Louise Collins. — Besides, he was only 24 years — he did not feel it necessary to be a world champion right here, right now. But what was always important is team spirit. If Peter didn’t win himself, he wanted to be sure to won one of his own. I think today’s pilots don’t know what it was”.

Самая яркая в истории гонка «Формулы-1». Фото

Peter Collins.
At least, it is difficult to imagine a conditional Verstappen, intentionally skipping forward, let’s say, Ricardo reasons, they say, “I will have time to become a world champion.” Big money has turned the “Formula-1” in big business, and today such an act would call not so much of noble, how many stupid and unprofessional. Must be nice that in the 50’s, nobody knew what the world of Big prizes will be six decades later.

The Italian Grand Prix in 1956 ended in a double triumph local. The race was won by moss in a Maserati, but the title went to Ferrari and Fangio. A noble act, Collins was deprived of his possible championship, but forever made the Englishman one of the favorite pilots Enzo. “Now I can tell everyone that was embarrassingly close to the world title!” — as usual cheerful and carefree, smiling at Peter after the finish of an incredible Grand Prix.

Less than two years after he death crash at the Nurburgring driving a Ferrari 246.

Самая яркая в истории гонка «Формулы-1». Фото

He never managed to become the champion.

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