1954 Formula One season
The 1954 Formula One season was eighth season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1954 World Championship of Drivers and a number of non-championship races. The World Championship of Drivers was contested over a nine race series which commenced on 17 January and ended on 24 October 1954. The championship was won by Juan Manuel Fangio who drove, and won races, for both Maserati and Mercedes-Benz over the course of the series. Argentine drivers gained the first two positions in the championship with José Froilán González placing second to his compatriot Fangio.
Championship summary
With Formula One changing to 2.5 litre unsupercharged engines for 1954, Mercedes re-entered grand prix racing for the first time since the Second World War at the French Grand Prix with a which Fangio and Karl Kling took to a 1–2 win. Fangio's French success had come after switching from the Maserati team, with whom he had won the first two Grands Prix of the season. Although the streamlined, closed-wheel body proved unsuitable for Silverstone, Mercedes produced a more conventional open-wheel body for the Nürburgring race; Fangio won three of the remaining four races.Reigning champion Alberto Ascari had a less successful switch of teams, choosing to leave Ferrari for the newly formed Lancia team. Lancia's car, the D50, was not ready until the final World Championship race, meaning he had to sit out most of his title defence.
Championship points were awarded for first five places in each race on an 8, 6, 4, 3, 2 basis with 1 point awarded for the fastest lap. Only the best five of nine scores counted towards the championship. Points for shared drives were divided equally between the drivers, regardless of who had driven more laps unless one of the drivers was deemed to have completed "insufficient distance". Drivers who shared more than one car during a race received points only for their highest finish.
Argentine Onofre Marimón was killed during practice for the German Grand Prix driving a Maserati 250F. It was the first fatality at a championship Formula One race weekend.
Season review
The following races counted towards the 1954 World Championship of Drivers.Rnd | Race | Circuit | Date | Pole position | Fastest lap | Winning driver | Constructor | Tyre | Report |
1 | Argentine Grand Prix | Buenos Aires | 17 January | Giuseppe Farina | José Froilán González | Juan Manuel Fangio | Maserati | Report | |
2 | Indianapolis 500 | Indianapolis | 31 May | Jack McGrath | Jack McGrath | Bill Vukovich | Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | Report | |
3 | Belgian Grand Prix | Spa-Francorchamps | 20 June | Juan Manuel Fangio | Juan Manuel Fangio | Juan Manuel Fangio | Maserati | Report | |
4 | French Grand Prix | Reims | 4 July | Juan Manuel Fangio | Hans Herrmann | Juan Manuel Fangio | Mercedes | Report | |
5 | British Grand Prix | Silverstone | 17 July | Juan Manuel Fangio | Alberto Ascari Jean Behra Juan Manuel Fangio José Froilán González Mike Hawthorn Onofre Marimón Stirling Moss | José Froilán González | Ferrari | Report | |
6 | German Grand Prix | Nürburgring | 1 August | Juan Manuel Fangio | Karl Kling | Juan Manuel Fangio | Mercedes | Report | |
7 | Swiss Grand Prix | Bremgarten | 22 August | José Froilán González | Juan Manuel Fangio | Juan Manuel Fangio | Mercedes | Report | |
8 | Italian Grand Prix | Monza | 5 September | Juan Manuel Fangio | José Froilán González | Juan Manuel Fangio | Mercedes | Report | |
9 | Spanish Grand Prix | Pedralbes | 24 October | Alberto Ascari | Alberto Ascari | Mike Hawthorn | Ferrari | Report |
All championship races were open to cars complying with FIA Formula One regulations with the exception of the Indianapolis 500 which was for cars complying with AAA National Championship regulations, and also counted towards the 1954 AAA Championship.
The Dutch Grand Prix was originally scheduled to be held at Zandvoort but there was no money for the race to be held, and it was cancelled.
The German Grand Prix was given the honorary title of being the European Grand Prix of 1954.
Teams and drivers
The following teams and drivers competed in the 1954 FIA World Championship of Drivers.Entrant | Constructor | Chassis | Engine | Tyre | Driver | Rounds |
Officine Alfieri Maserati | Maserati | 250F A6GCM | Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Maserati A6 2.0 L6 | Juan Manuel Fangio | 1, 3 | |
Officine Alfieri Maserati | Maserati | 250F A6GCM | Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Maserati A6 2.0 L6 | Onofre Marimón | 1, 3–6 | |
Officine Alfieri Maserati | Maserati | 250F A6GCM | Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Maserati A6 2.0 L6 | Luigi Musso | 1, 8–9 | |
Officine Alfieri Maserati | Maserati | 250F A6GCM | Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Maserati A6 2.0 L6 | Birabongse Bhanudej | 1 | |
Officine Alfieri Maserati | Maserati | 250F A6GCM | Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Maserati A6 2.0 L6 | Sergio Mantovani | 3–4, 6–9 | |
Officine Alfieri Maserati | Maserati | 250F A6GCM | Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Maserati A6 2.0 L6 | Alberto Ascari | 4–5 | |
Officine Alfieri Maserati | Maserati | 250F A6GCM | Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Maserati A6 2.0 L6 | Luigi Villoresi | 4–6, 8 | |
Officine Alfieri Maserati | Maserati | 250F A6GCM | Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Maserati A6 2.0 L6 | Roberto Mieres | 7–9 | |
Officine Alfieri Maserati | Maserati | 250F A6GCM | Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Maserati A6 2.0 L6 | Stirling Moss | 7–9 | |
Officine Alfieri Maserati | Maserati | 250F A6GCM | Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Maserati A6 2.0 L6 | Harry Schell | 7 | |
Officine Alfieri Maserati | Maserati | 250F A6GCM | Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Maserati A6 2.0 L6 | Louis Rosier | 8 | |
Officine Alfieri Maserati | Maserati | 250F A6GCM | Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Maserati A6 2.0 L6 | Paco Godia | 9 | |
Scuderia Ferrari | Ferrari | 625 553 500 | Ferrari 625 2.5 L4 Ferrari 554 2.5 L4 Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 | Giuseppe Farina | 1, 3 | |
Scuderia Ferrari | Ferrari | 625 553 500 | Ferrari 625 2.5 L4 Ferrari 554 2.5 L4 Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 | José Froilán González | 1, 3–8 | |
Scuderia Ferrari | Ferrari | 625 553 500 | Ferrari 625 2.5 L4 Ferrari 554 2.5 L4 Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 | Mike Hawthorn | 1, 3–9 | |
Scuderia Ferrari | Ferrari | 625 553 500 | Ferrari 625 2.5 L4 Ferrari 554 2.5 L4 Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 | Umberto Maglioli | 1, 7–8 | |
Scuderia Ferrari | Ferrari | 625 553 500 | Ferrari 625 2.5 L4 Ferrari 554 2.5 L4 Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 | Maurice Trintignant | 3–9 | |
Scuderia Ferrari | Ferrari | 625 553 500 | Ferrari 625 2.5 L4 Ferrari 554 2.5 L4 Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 | Piero Taruffi | 6 | |
Scuderia Ferrari | Ferrari | 625 553 500 | Ferrari 625 2.5 L4 Ferrari 554 2.5 L4 Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 | Robert Manzon | 7 | |
Scuderia Ferrari | Ferrari | 625 553 500 | Ferrari 625 2.5 L4 Ferrari 554 2.5 L4 Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 | Alberto Ascari | 8 | |
Equipe Gordini | Gordini | T16 | Gordini 23 2.5 L6 | Jean Behra | 1, 3–9 | |
Equipe Gordini | Gordini | T16 | Gordini 23 2.5 L6 | Élie Bayol | 1 | |
Equipe Gordini | Gordini | T16 | Gordini 23 2.5 L6 | Roger Loyer | 1 | |
Equipe Gordini | Gordini | T16 | Gordini 23 2.5 L6 | Paul Frère | 3–4, 6 | |
Equipe Gordini | Gordini | T16 | Gordini 23 2.5 L6 | André Pilette | 3, 5–6 | |
Equipe Gordini | Gordini | T16 | Gordini 23 2.5 L6 | Jacques Pollet | 4, 9 | |
Equipe Gordini | Gordini | T16 | Gordini 23 2.5 L6 | Clemar Bucci | 5–8 | |
Equipe Gordini | Gordini | T16 | Gordini 23 2.5 L6 | Fred Wacker | 7–8 | |
Ecurie Rosier | Ferrari Maserati | 500 625 250F | Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 Ferrari 625 2.5 L4 Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 | Louis Rosier | 1, 4–6, 9 | |
Ecurie Rosier | Ferrari Maserati | 500 625 250F | Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 Ferrari 625 2.5 L4 Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 | Maurice Trintignant | 1 | |
Ecurie Rosier | Ferrari Maserati | 500 625 250F | Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 Ferrari 625 2.5 L4 Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 | Robert Manzon | 4–6, 8–9 | |
Harry Schell | Maserati | A6GCM 250F | Maserati A6 2.0 L6 Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 | Harry Schell | 1, 4–6, 9 | |
Emmanuel de Graffenried | Maserati | A6GCM | Maserati A6 2.0 L6 | Toulo de Graffenried | 1, 9 | |
Emmanuel de Graffenried | Maserati | A6GCM | Maserati A6 2.0 L6 | Ottorino Volonterio | 9 | |
Roberto Mieres | Maserati | A6GCM 250F | Maserati A6 2.0 L6 Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 | Roberto Mieres | 1, 3–6 | |
Jorge Daponte | Maserati | A6GCM | Maserati A6 2.0 L6 | Jorge Daponte | 1, 8 | |
Onofre Marimón | Maserati | A6GCM | Maserati A6 2.0 L6 | Carlos Menditeguy | 1 | |
Ecurie Francorchamps | Ferrari | 500 | Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 | Jacques Swaters | 3, 7, 9 | |
Birabongse Bhanudej | Maserati | 250F | Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 | Birabongse Bhanudej | 3–6, 9 | |
Birabongse Bhanudej | Maserati | 250F | Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 | Ron Flockhart | 5 | |
Equipe Moss A.E. Moss | Maserati | 250F | Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 | Stirling Moss | 3, 5–6 | |
Daimler Benz AG | Mercedes | W196 | Mercedes M196 2.5 L8 | Juan Manuel Fangio | 4–9 | |
Daimler Benz AG | Mercedes | W196 | Mercedes M196 2.5 L8 | Karl Kling | 4–9 | |
Daimler Benz AG | Mercedes | W196 | Mercedes M196 2.5 L8 | Hans Herrmann | 4, 6–9 | |
Daimler Benz AG | Mercedes | W196 | Mercedes M196 2.5 L8 | Hermann Lang | 6 | |
Georges Berger | Gordini | T16 | Gordini 23 2.5 L6 | Georges Berger | 4 | |
HW Motors | HWM-Alta | 53 | Alta GP 2.5 L4 | Lance Macklin | 4 | |
Owen Racing Organisation | Maserati | 250F | Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 | Ken Wharton | 4–7, 9 | |
Owen Racing Organisation | Maserati | 250F | Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 | Guerino Bertocchi | 9 | |
Gilby Engineering | Maserati | 250F | Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 | Roy Salvadori | 4–5 | |
Scuderia Ambrosiana | Ferrari | 500 | Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 | Reg Parnell | 5 | |
G.A. Vandervell Vandervell Products | Vanwall | Special | Vanwall 254 2.5 L4 | Peter Collins | 5, 8–9 | |
Peter Whitehead | Cooper-Alta | T24 | Alta GP 2.5 L4 | Peter Whitehead | 5 | |
Bill Whitehouse | Connaught-Lea-Francis | A | Lea-Francis 2.0 L4 | Bill Whitehouse | 5 | |
Leslie Marr | Connaught-Lea-Francis | A | Lea-Francis 2.0 L4 | Leslie Marr | 5 | |
R.R.C. Walker Racing Team | Connaught-Lea-Francis | A | Lea-Francis 2.0 L4 | John Riseley-Prichard | 5 | |
Sir Jeremy Boles | Connaught-Lea-Francis | A | Lea-Francis 2.0 L4 | Don Beauman | 5 | |
Ecurie Ecosse | Connaught-Lea-Francis | A | Lea-Francis 2.0 L4 | Leslie Thorne | 5 | |
R.J. Chase | Cooper-Bristol | T23 | Bristol BS1 2.0 L6 | Alan Brown | 5 | |
Gould's Garage | Cooper-Bristol | T23 | Bristol BS1 2.0 L6 | Horace Gould | 5 | |
Bob Gerard | Cooper-Bristol | T23 | Bristol BS1 2.0 L6 | Bob Gerard | 5 | |
Ecurie Richmond | Cooper-Bristol | T23 | Bristol BS1 2.0 L6 | Eric Brandon | 5 | |
Ecurie Richmond | Cooper-Bristol | T23 | Bristol BS1 2.0 L6 | Rodney Nuckey | 5 | |
Hans Klenk | Klenk-BMW | Meteor | BMW 328 2.0 L6 | Theo Helfrich | 6 | |
Giovanni de Riu | Maserati | A6GCM | Maserati A6 2.0 L6 | Giovanni de Riu | 8 | |
Scuderia Lancia | Lancia | D50 | Lancia DS50 2.5 V8 | Alberto Ascari | 9 | |
Scuderia Lancia | Lancia | D50 | Lancia DS50 2.5 V8 | Luigi Villoresi | 9 |
1954 Drivers' Championship – final standings
Points were awarded on an 8-6-4-3-2 basis to the top five finishers at each race with an additional point scored for the fastest lap. Only the best 5 results counted towards the Championship. Numbers without parentheses are Championship points; numbers in parentheses are total points scored.
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