1954 Formula One season

1954 FIA Formula One World Championship season
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Index: Races by country | Races by season

The 1954 Formula One season included the 5th FIA Formula One World Championship season, which commenced on January 17, 1954, and ended on October 24 after nine races. The Championship was won by Juan Manuel Fangio who drove, and won races, for both Maserati and Mercedes over the course of the season. In this season Argentinean drivers made a 1–2 in the season's final positions.

Contents

Season summary

With the formula changing to 2.5 litres unsupercharged, Mercedes re-entered grand prix racing for the first time since the Second World War at the French Grand Prix with a streamlined single seater which Fangio and Karl Kling took to a dominating 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 body proved unsuitable for Silverstone, Mercedes produced a more conventional body for the Nürburgring and 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. Unfortunately for him, 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.

Points were given to top 5 finishers (8, 6, 4, 3, 2). 1 point was given for fastest lap. Only the best five of nine scores counted towards the world 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.

Season review

Rnd Race Circuit Date Pole position Fastest lap Winning driver Constructor Tyre Report
1 Argentine Grand Prix Oscar Gálvez January 17 Giuseppe Farina José Froilán González Juan Manuel Fangio Maserati P Report
2 Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis May 31 Jack McGrath Jack McGrath Bill Vukovich Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser F Report
3 Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps June 20 Juan Manuel Fangio Juan Manuel Fangio Juan Manuel Fangio Maserati P Report
4 French Grand Prix Reims July 4 Juan Manuel Fangio Hans Herrmann Juan Manuel Fangio Mercedes C Report
5 British Grand Prix Silverstone July 17 Juan Manuel Fangio Alberto Ascari
Jean Behra
Juan Manuel Fangio
José Froilán González
Mike Hawthorn
Onofre Marimón
Stirling Moss		 José Froilán González Ferrari P Report
6 German Grand Prix Nürburgring August 1 Juan Manuel Fangio Karl Kling Juan Manuel Fangio Mercedes C Report
7 Swiss Grand Prix Bremgarten August 22 José Froilán González Juan Manuel Fangio Juan Manuel Fangio Mercedes C Report
8 Italian Grand Prix Monza September 5 Juan Manuel Fangio José Froilán González Juan Manuel Fangio Mercedes C Report
9 Spanish Grand Prix Pedralbes October 24 Alberto Ascari Alberto Ascari Mike Hawthorn Ferrari P Report

Teams and drivers

The following teams and drivers competed in the 1954 FIA World Championship.

Entrant Constructor Chassis Engine Tyre Driver Rounds
Officine Alfieri Maserati Maserati 250F
A6GCM		 Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6
Maserati A6 2.0 L6		 P Juan Manuel Fangio 1, 3
Onofre Marimón 1, 3–6
Luigi Musso 1, 8–9
Prince Bira 1
Sergio Mantovani 3–4, 6–9
Alberto Ascari 4–5
Luigi Villoresi 4–6, 8
Roberto Mieres 7–9
Stirling Moss 7, 9
Harry Schell 7
Louis Rosier 8
Paco Godia 9
Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari 625
553
500		 Ferrari 625 2.5 L4
Ferrari 554 2.5 L4
Ferrari 500 2.0 L4		 P Giuseppe Farina 1, 3
José Froilán González 1, 3–8
Mike Hawthorn 1, 3–9
Umberto Maglioli 1, 7–8
Maurice Trintignant 4–9
Piero Taruffi 6
Robert Manzon 7–8
Alberto Ascari 8
Equipe Gordini Gordini T16 Gordini 23 2.5 L6 E Jean Behra 1, 3–9
Élie Bayol 1
Roger Loyer 1
Paul Frère 3–4, 6
André Pilette 3, 5–6
Jacques Pollet 4, 9
Clemar Bucci 5–8
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		 D
P		 Louis Rosier 1, 4–6, 9
Maurice Trintignant 1, 3
Robert Manzon 4–6, 9
Harry Schell Maserati A6GCM
250F		 Maserati A6 2.0 L6
Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6		 P Harry Schell 1, 4–6, 9
Emmanuel de Graffenried Maserati A6GCM Maserati A6 2.0 L6 P Toulo de Graffenried 1, 9
Ottorino Volonterio 9
Roberto Mieres Maserati A6GCM
250F		 Maserati A6 2.0 L6
Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6		 P Roberto Mieres 1, 3–6
Jorge Daponte Maserati A6GCM Maserati A6 2.0 L6 P Jorge Daponte 1, 8
Onofre Marimón Maserati A6GCM Maserati A6 2.0 L6 P Carlos Menditeguy 1
Ecurie Francorchamps Ferrari 500 Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 E Jacques Swaters 3, 7, 9
Prince Bira Maserati 250F Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 P Prince Bira 3–6, 9
D Ron Flockhart 5
Equipe Moss
A.E. Moss		 Maserati 250F Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 P Stirling Moss 3, 5–6, 8
Daimler Benz AG Mercedes W196 Mercedes M196 2.5 L8 C Juan Manuel Fangio 4–9
Karl Kling 4–9
Hans Herrmann 4, 6–9
Hermann Lang 6
Georges Berger Gordini T16 Gordini 23 2.5 L6 E Georges Berger 4
HW Motors HWM 53 Alta GP 2.5 L4 D Lance Macklin 4
Owen Racing Organisation Maserati 250F Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 D Ken Wharton 4–7, 9
Guerino Bertocchi 9
Gilby Engineering Maserati 250F Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 D Roy Salvadori 4–5
Scuderia Ambrosiana Ferrari 500 Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 A Reg Parnell 5
G.A. Vandervell
Vandervell Products		 Vanwall Special Vanwall 254 2.5 L4 P Peter Collins 5, 8–9
Peter Whitehead Cooper T24 Alta GP 2.5 L4 D Peter Whitehead 5
Bill Whitehouse Connaught A Lea Francis 2.0 L4 D Bill Whitehouse 5
Leslie Marr Connaught A Lea Francis 2.0 L4 D Leslie Marr 5
R.R.C. Walker Racing Team Connaught A Lea Francis 2.0 L4 D John Riseley-Prichard 5
Sir Jeremy Boles Connaught A Lea Francis 2.0 L4 D Don Beauman 5
Ecurie Ecosse Connaught A Lea Francis 2.0 L4 D Leslie Thorne 5
R.J. Chase Cooper T23 Bristol BS1 2.0 L6 D Alan Brown 5
Gould's Garage (Bristol) Cooper T23 Bristol BS1 2.0 L6 D Horace Gould 5
Bob Gerard Cooper T23 Bristol BS1 2.0 L6 D Bob Gerard 5
Ecurie Richmond Cooper T23 Bristol BS1 2.0 L6 D Eric Brandon 5
Rodney Nuckey 5
Hans Klenk Klenk Meteor BMW 328 2.0 L6 P Theo Helfrich 6
Giovanni de Riu Maserati A6GCM Maserati A6 2.0 L6 P Giovanni de Riu 8
Scuderia Lancia Lancia D50 Lancia DS50 2.5 L8 P Alberto Ascari 9
Luigi Villoresi 9

1954 Drivers Championship final standings

Pos. Driver ARG
 500‡
 BEL
 FRA
 GBR
 GER
 SUI
 ITA
 ESP
 Pts.
1 Juan Manuel Fangio 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 3 42 (57.14)
2 José Froilán González 3 4† Ret 1 2† 2 3† / Ret 25.14 (26.64)
3 Mike Hawthorn DSQ 4† Ret 2 2† Ret 2 1 24.64
4 Maurice Trintignant 4 2 Ret 5 3 Ret 5 Ret 17
5 Karl Kling 2 7 4 Ret Ret 5 12
6 Bill Vukovich 1 8
7 Hans Herrmann Ret Ret 3 4 Ret 8
8 Luigi Musso DNS Ret 2 6
9 Nino Farina 2 Ret 6
10 Jimmy Bryan 2 6
11 Roberto Mieres Ret Ret Ret 6 Ret 4 Ret 4 6
12 Jack McGrath 3 5
13 Stirling Moss 3 Ret Ret Ret 10 Ret 4.14
14 Onofre Marimón Ret Ret Ret 3 4.14
15 Robert Manzon 3 Ret 9 Ret Ret 4
16 Sergio Mantovani 7 5 5 9 Ret 4
17 Prince Bira 7 6 4 Ret† Ret 9 3
18 Umberto Maglioli 9 7 3† 2
19 André Pilette 5 9 Ret 2
20 Luigi Villoresi 5 Ret† Ret Ret 2
21 Élie Bayol 5 2
22 Mike Nazaruk 5 2
23 Troy Ruttman 4† 1.5
24 Duane Carter 4† / 15† 1.5
25 Alberto Ascari Ret Ret / Ret† Ret Ret 1.14
26 Jean Behra DSQ Ret 6 Ret 10 Ret Ret Ret 0.14
— Harry Schell 6 Ret 12 7 Ret Ret 0
— Ken Wharton Ret 8 6 8 0
— Fred Wacker Ret 6 0
— Fred Agabashian 6 0
— Piero Taruffi 6 0
— Paco Godia 6 0
— Louis Rosier Ret Ret Ret 8 8 7 0
— Peter Collins Ret 7 0
— Don Freeland 7 0
— Jacques Swaters Ret 8 Ret 0
— Toulo de Graffenried 8 Ret† 0
— Paul Russo 8 0
— Larry Crockett 9 0
— Cal Niday 10 0
— Bob Gerard 10 0
— Jorge Daponte Ret 11 0
— Art Cross 11 0
— Don Beauman 11 0
— Chuck Stevenson 12 0
— Manny Ayulo 13 0
— Leslie Marr 13 0
— Bob Sweikert 14 0
— Leslie Thorne 14 0
— Horace Gould 15 0
— Jimmy Jackson 15† 0
— Ernie McCoy 16 0
— Jimmy Reece 17 0
— Ed Elisian 18 0
— Frank Armi 19 0
— Clemar Bucci Ret Ret Ret Ret 0
— Paul Frère Ret Ret Ret 0
— Roy Salvadori Ret Ret 0
— Jacques Pollet Ret Ret 0
— Roger Loyer Ret 0
— Sam Hanks Ret 0
— Pat O'Connor Ret 0
— Rodger Ward Ret 0
— Gene Hartley Ret 0
— Andy Linden Ret 0
— Johnny Thomson Ret 0
— Jerry Hoyt Ret 0
— Jimmy Daywalt Ret 0
— Tony Bettenhausen Ret 0
— Spider Webb Ret 0
— Bill Homeier Ret 0
— Johnnie Parsons Ret 0
— Len Duncan Ret 0
— Pat Flaherty Ret† 0
— Jim Rathmann Ret† 0
— Lance Macklin Ret 0
— Georges Berger Ret 0
— Bill Whitehouse Ret 0
— John Riseley-Prichard Ret 0
— Reg Parnell Ret 0
— Peter Whitehead Ret 0
— Eric Brandon Ret 0
— Ron Flockhart Ret† 0
— Hermann Lang Ret 0
— Theo Helfrich Ret 0
— Ottorino Volonterio Ret† 0
— Alan Brown DNS 0
— Rodney Nuckey DNS 0
Pos. Driver ARG
 500‡
 BEL
 FRA
 GBR
 GER
 SUI
 ITA
 ESP
 Pts.
Key
Colour Result
Gold Winner
Silver 2nd place
Bronze 3rd place
Green Points finish
Blue Non-points finish
Non-classified finish (NC)
Purple Did not finish (Ret)
Red Did not qualify (DNQ)
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ)
Black Disqualified (DSQ)
White Did not start (DNS)
Race cancelled (C)
Light blue Practiced only (PO)
Friday test driver (TD)
(from 2003 onwards)
Blank Did not practice (DNP)
Excluded (EX)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Withdrew entry before the event (WD)

Non-Championship race results

Other Formula One races also held in 1954, which did not count towards the World Championship.

Race Name Circuit Date Winning driver Constructor Report
IV Gran Premio di Siracusa Syracuse April 11 Nino Farina Ferrari Report
XV Pau Grand Prix Pau April 19 Jean Behra Gordini Report
VI Lavant Cup Goodwood April 19 Reg Parnell Ferrari Report
III Grand Prix de Bordeaux Bordeaux May 9 José Froilán González Ferrari Report
IV BRDC International Trophy Silverstone May 15 José Froilán González Ferrari Report
VII Gran Premio di Bari Bari May 22 José Froilán González Ferrari Report
II Curtis Trophy Snetterton June 5 Roy Salvadori Maserati Report
XIII Gran Premio di Roma Castelfusano June 6 Onofre Marimón Maserati Report
XXIV Grand Prix des Frontières Chimay June 6 B Bira Maserati Report
I Cornwall MRC Formula 1 Race Davidstow June 7 John Riseley-Prichard Connaught-Francis Report
I BARC Formula 1 Race Goodwood June 7 Reg Parnell Ferrari Report
II Crystal Palace Trophy Crystal Palace June 19 Reg Parnell Ferrari Report
IV Grand Prix de Rouen-les-Essarts Rouen July 11 Maurice Trintignant Ferrari Report
III Grand Prix de Caen Caen July 25 Maurice Trintignant Ferrari Report
I August Cup Crystal Palace August 2 Reg Parnell Ferrari Report
II Cornwall MRC Formula 1 Race Davidstow August 2 John Coombs Lotus-Connaught Report
I International Gold Cup Oulton Park August 7 Stirling Moss Maserati Report
RedeX Trophy Snetterton August 14 Reg Parnell Ferrari Report
XXIII Circuito di Pescara Pescara August 15 Luigi Musso Maserati Report
V Sachsenring-Rennen Sachsenring August 15 Paul Thiel EMW Report
III Joe Fry Memorial Trophy Castle Combe August 28 Horace Gould Cooper-Bristol Report
V Circuit de Cadours Cadours September 12 Jean Behra Gordini Report
I Grosser Preis von Berlin AVUS September 19 Karl Kling Mercedes Report
VII Goodwood Trophy Goodwood September 25 Stirling Moss Maserati Report
I Daily Telegraph Trophy Aintree October 2 Stirling Moss Maserati Report

Notes