1953 British Grand Prix
The 1953 British Grand Prix was the fifth race of the 1953 Formula One World Championship and was held in Silverstone on July 12th 1953. While Consalvo Sanesi won pole, his Gordini failed, allowing Juan Manuel Fangio to take his second and final Grand Prix victory. Alberto Ascari and Reg Parnell completed the podium, allowing the latter to truly launch his title bid.
Background
Coming to JAMR's home race, they were truly at the very top of Formula One racing. Bettenhausen and Trintignant were leading the points standings, Bira had been consistently quick, and even González had finally decided to pull his head out of his arse and actually finish races. Semi-home team Alexander Racing Team were also in a good position, with Sanesi taking an emotional maiden win in Reims. But five races still remained, and anything could still happen. 43 drivers gathered at Silverstone for the 1953 British Grand Prix.
This week, the second Mercedes had been handed to experienced sports car driver Tommy Wisdom, who would hope to do better than Lucien Vincent at Reims.
Lance Macklin took over the Reatherson that weekend, while Joe Kelly took a race off.
Following Dorino Serafini's accident last week, he missed the British Grand Prix. He was replaced by Australian Jack Brabham, who had been attending the Silverstone weekend as a mechanic for hire and suggested himself as replacement. He therefore made his European début following his appearance at his home Grand Prix the previous year.
With Macklin returning to Reatherson for his home race, Lex Davison was lured away from the hopeless EMW to the Balkan Eagle once more, where he now stood a chance of qualifying.
Despite André Simon being better in the Maserati than all the previous drivers, the management still insisted on giving Onofre Marimon a chance. The Argentine stepped back in the Maserati for Silverstone.
Group Ultimate had elected not to send the Ferraris to Britain, and they hadn't been entered in any other races that season thus far. Edgar Barth was still there in the Ultimate, but the East German/American squad might not be there on the grid the following season. Would political reasons be behind this?
Bentley were back for their home race, with the three Speed 3 chassis for Brauchitsch, Hawthorn and Richardson. They would each be hoping to make the grid.
Ecurie Nationale Belge had reverted to two cars for the British Grand Prix, with the logical line-up of André Pilette and Jacques Swaters.
Following John Fitch's hefty crash at Reims, O.S.C.A. had pulled the second car from the rest of the season, leaving Fitch to drive for the new Assasti Millanti team.
With Lex Davison gladly returning to Balkan Eagle, it was Günther Bechem who stepped back into the sluggish EMW.
With Dries van der Lof gaining valuable prize money for Asso di Fiori, Luigi Villoresi stepped back into the Aston-Jag, hopefully to emulate the Dutchman's success.
The underfunded and controversial Assasti Millanti outfit made their début at Silverstone in a Leader-Jaguar with O.S.C.A. refugee John Fitch.
Race weekend
Championship standings
| Pos | Driver | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Tony Bettenhausen
|
18 |
| 2 |  Reg Parnell
|
18 |
| 3 |  Maurice Trintignant
|
14 |
| 4 | Robert Manzon
|
12 |
| 5 | Peter Whitehead
|
11 |
| Pos | Constructor | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aston Martin-Jaguar
|
28 |
| 2 |  Ferrari
|
22 |
| 3 | Gordini
|
17 |
| 4 | Alfa Romeo
|
12 |
| 5 |  Phoenix-Mercedes
|
10 |
| Pos | Driver | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaguar - Aston Martin Racing
|
28 |
| 2 | Scuderia Ferrari
|
22 |
| 3 | Alexander Racing Team-Gordini
|
17 |
| 4 | Alfa Romeo SpA
|
12 |
| 5 | Phoenix Racing Organisation
|
10 |
- Only the top five positions are listed.
| Previous race: 1953 French Grand Prix |
Alternate Formula 1 World Championship 1953 Season |
Next race: 1953 German Grand Prix |
| Previous race: 1952 British Grand Prix |
British Grand Prix | Next race: 1954 British Grand Prix |