1955 French Grand Prix: Difference between revisions

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===Prequalifying===
===Prequalifying===
1. Desmond Titterington (Lancia) - 2:26.11<br>
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
2. Paco Godia (Gordini) - 2:28.54<br>
|-
3. Tony Brooks (B.C.M.A.) - 2:29.69<br>
! Pos !! No !! Driver !! Constructor !! Time !! Gap
4. Reg Armstrong (Lancia) - 2:29.98<br>
|-
5. Bib Stillwell (O.S.C.A.-Vanwall) - 2:31.37<br>
! 1
6. André Guelfi (Lancia) - 2:32.79<br>
| 30
7. Luigi Musso (Ambrosiana-Alfa Romeo) - 2:32.85<br>
| [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] [[Desmond Titterington]]
8. Lance Macklin (Ferrari) - 2:32.96<br>
| [[Lancia]]
9. Dennis Poore (Vanwall) - 2:33.18<br>
| align="right" | 2:26.11
10. Alberto Uria (Ambrosiana-Alfa Romeo) - 2:33.72<br>
| align="right" |  -
11. Ken Wharton (Ferrari) - 2:33.90<br>
|-
12. Cesare Perdisa (Alfa Romeo) - 2:34.47<br>
! 2
13. Roger Loyer (Loyer-Porsche) - 2:34.63<br>
| 17
14. Eugenio Castellotti (Porsche) - 2:34.80<br>
| [[File:Flag of Spain svg.png]] [[Paco Godia]]
15. Alfonso de Portago (Loyer-Porsche) - 2:35.27<br>
| [[Gordini]]
16. Aldo Gordini (Gordini) - 2:35.29<br>
| align="right" | 2:28.54
17. Kenneth McAlpine (Bentley) - 2:36.67<br>
| align="right" | + 2.43
18. Roy Salvadori (Bentley-O.S.C.A.) - 2:36.92<br>
|-
19. Ron Flockhart (Cooper-Maserati) - 2:37.39<br>
! 3
20. Lex Davison (Aston Martin-Jaguar) - 2:38.69<br>
| 34
21. Philippe Etancelin (Guidobaldi-Mercedes) - 2:40.57<br>
| [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] [[Tony Brooks]]
22. Helmut Niedermayr (Van Hoff-O.S.C.A.) - 2:41.74<br>
| [[B.C.M.A.]]
| align="right" | 2:29.69
| align="right" | + 3.58
|-
! 4
| 32
| [[File:Flag of Ireland svg.png]] [[Reg Armstrong]]
| [[Lancia]]
| align="right" | 2:29.98
| align="right" | + 3.87
|-
! 5
| 36
| [[File:Flag of Australia svg.png]] [[Bib Stillwell]]
| [[O.S.C.A.]]-[[Vanwall]]
| align="right" | 2:31.37
| align="right" | + 5.26
|-
! 6
| 29
| [[File:Flag of France svg.png]] [[André Guelfi]]
| [[Lancia]]
| align="right" | 2:32.79
| align="right" | + 6.68
|-
! 7
| 52
| [[File:Flag of Italy svg.png]] [[Luigi Musso]]
| [[Ambrosiana]]-[[Alfa Romeo]]
| align="right" | 2:32.85
| align="right" | + 6.74
|-
! 8
| 38
| [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] [[Lance Macklin]]
| [[Ferrari]]
| align="right" | 2:32.96
| align="right" | + 6.85
|-
! 9
| 44
| [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] [[Dennis Poore]]
| [[Vanwall]]
| align="right" | 2:33.18
| align="right" | + 7.07
|-
! 10
| 53
| [[File:Flag of Uruguay svg.png]] [[Alberto Uria]]
| [[Ambrosiana]]-[[Alfa Romeo]]
| align="right" | 2:33.72
| align="right" | + 7.61
|-
! 11
| 39
| [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] [[Ken Wharton]]
| [[Ferrari]]
| align="right" | 2:33.90
| align="right" | + 7.79
|-
! 12
| 8
| [[File:Flag of Italy svg.png]] [[Cesare Perdisa]]
| [[Alfa Romeo]]
| align="right" | 2:34.47
| align="right" | + 8.36
|-
! 13
| 14
| [[File:Flag of France svg.png]] [[Roger Loyer]]
| [[Loyer]]-[[Porsche]]
| align="right" | 2:34.63
| align="right" | + 8.52
|-
! 14
| 15
| [[File:Flag of Italy svg.png]] [[Eugenio Castellotti]]
| [[Porsche]]
| align="right" | 2:34.80
| align="right" | + 8.69
|-
! 15
| 12
| [[File:Flag of Spain svg.png]] [[Alfonso de Portago]]
| [[Loyer]]-[[Porsche]]
| align="right" | 2:35.27
| align="right" | + 9.16
|-
! 16
| 21
| [[File:Flag of France svg.png]] [[Aldo Gordini]]
| [[Gordini]]
| align="right" | 2:35.29
| align="right" | + 9.18
|-
! 17
| 51
| [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] [[Kenneth McAlpine]]
| [[Bentley]]
| align="right" | 2:36.67
| align="right" | + 10.56
|-
! 18
| 6
| [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] [[Roy Salvadori]]
| [[Bentley]]-[[O.S.C.A.]]
| align="right" | 2:36.92
| align="right" | + 10.81
|-
! 19
| 37
| [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] [[Ron Flockhart]]
| [[Cooper]]-[[Maserati]]
| align="right" | 2:37.39
| align="right" | + 11.28
|-
! 20
| 31
| [[File:Flag of Australia svg.png]] [[Lex Davison]]
| [[Aston Martin]]-[[Jaguar]]
| align="right" | 2:38.69
| align="right" | + 12.58
|-
! 21
| 23
| [[File:Flag of France svg.png]] [[Philippe Étancelin]]
| [[Guidobaldi]]-[[Mercedes]]
| align="right" | 2:40.57
| align="right" | + 14.46
|-
! 22
| 1
| [[File:Flag of Germany svg.png]] [[Helmut Niedermayr]]
| [[Von Hoff]]-[[O.S.C.A.]]
| align="right" | 2:41.74
| align="right" | + 15.63
|}


===Qualifying===
===Qualifying===

Revision as of 20:10, 14 February 2018

Flag of France svg.png 1955 French Grand Prix
Race 2 of 7 in the 1955 Alternate Formula One season
Circuit Reims-Gueux.png
Date May 22, 1955
Official Name XLII Grand Prix de l'ACF
Location Reims Circuit, Reims, France
Course Temporary road course
8.347 km (5.187 mi)
Distance 73 laps, 609.331 km (378.651 mi)
Weather Sunny
Pole Position
Driver Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Desmond Titterington Lancia
Time 2:26.11
Fastest Lap
Driver Flag of Australia svg.png Jack Brabham Alfa Romeo
Time 2:28.25
Podium
First Flag of Italy svg.png Alberto Ascari Phoenix-O.S.C.A.
Second Flag of Thailand svg.png David Hampshire Bentley
Third Flag of the Dominican Republic svg.png Dorino Serafini Alfa Romeo


The 1955 French Grand Prix was the second race of the 1955 Alternate Formula One Season and was held at Reims-Gueux on May 22nd 1955. Desmond Titterington scored pole position in only his second Grand Prix, but a decision by the ACF to extend the race to over 600 kilometres in length led to massive amounts of attrition. Alberto Ascari won the race, just four days before his tragic death in a testing accident. David Hampshire scored his only podium in second place, and Dorino Serafini finished third, scoring his final podium.

Background

Monaco had been a very entertaining race. A controversial fight for the lead early on, dramatic unreliability and general boneheadedness up and down the field, as well as the impressive sight of a car taking a plunge into the Harbour, luckily without injury for Paco Godia. Ultimately, Dries van der Lof took his third career win, putting himself and JAMR as prime candidates for another season at the very front. However, the Monaco Grand Prix had often proven to fail to represent the true champion. Only in 1950 did the winner in Monaco actually win the title, and never had the winner of the opening race ever won the championship. Would the Dutchman buck the trend in 1955?

The second round out of eleven was the French Grand Prix, held in Reims-Gueux once again. This time, a staggering 54 drivers had made the trip, breaking the record set at the same circuit the previous season (with 52 entrants).

Trod van Hoff Racing make their second appearance at a championship Grand Prix with Helmut Niedermayr behind the wheel. Can he prequalify?

After a couple of years on the sidelines, Roy Salvadori returns to Formula One, driving a second Bentley for David Hampshire.

Following Franco Rol's dismal performance in Monaco, his return to Formula One was aborted as Renzo promptly fired him in favour of the young hopeful Cesare Perdisa, who already drove for the team in Singapore.

After five long years of waiting, Roger Loyer finally returns to the paddock for the coincidentally named Loyer Racing alongside Alfonso de Portago.

Anglo Racing Engineering, after skipping Monaco, make the trip to Reims with their usual driver, Aldo Gordini.

The rather experimental and much-awaited Guidobaldi makes its first appearance at Reims in the hands of the extremely experienced Frenchman Philippe Etancelin. Eyes are peeled, but if non-championship performance is anything to go by, this will not be an easy season.

This time, Irish Racing Association field their second Lancia for motorcycle ace Reg Armstrong alongside Monaco hero Desmond Titterington. How will he compare?

After an embarrassing and much-reported logistics mistake saw their lorries blocked in Northern France by a strike, B.C.M.A. ended up closer to Reims than they would have been, partially making up for the precious track time that was lost. This time, the youngest team in Formula One (Maglioli is 26, Collins and Brooks 23) is here and ready to participate.

Despite a good performance in Monaco to make the grid, Reatherson walked away bitterly disappointed as Macklin wrecked the Bentley early on. The team still soldier on to Reims, bringing along their two spare Ferraris for Macklin and Ken Wharton to drive.

Following a double-DNPQ in Monaco, BRUNEL rightly decided to fast-forward all the way to Silverstone.

The Monaco weekend was entertaining for ENB, to say the least. Arthur Legat, temporary team boss, stepped down in favour of a Swaters-Claes tandem, with the latter giving a rather brilliant jazz performance at the Monaco Casino in a desperate bid to get some funding for the team, which is almost bankrupt.

Ambrosiana have dropped the third car for Reims, entering only Musso and Uria.

Race weekend

Prequalifying

This time, the Lancia teams showed just how good the car could be, all three of them reaching the top six, with Titterington topping the time sheets with a stunning lap, almost two and a half seconds faster than Godia! Brooks and Armstrong also make the cut on début, Musso takes Ambrosiana into main qualifying, Poore barely misses his chance to repeat his Monaco performance, while the Loyers and Porsche again fail to make it through.

Qualifying

Stunning the crowd, Desmond Titterington took pole position ahead of B. Bira and Paco Godia. Monaco winner van der Lof only qualified in sixth place, and all three B.C.M.A. cars made the start at their first attempt. There were otherwise few surprises.

Race

Before the start of the race, the main talking point was the race organisers' decision to lengthen it to over 600 kilometres, which was a worry for both teams and drivers. The cars weren't designed to last that long, making reliability an issue, and they had become notoriously hard to handle, causing multiple accidents in Monaco, luckily without consequence. Despite these concerns, the race would go ahead for the full distance.

Titterington got the best start of the race leaders and led the first lap from Godia and Bira. Moss and Manzon got the best getaways, though, gaining three spots each. Desmond promptly fell behind Godia, Bira and Collins, the Spaniard taking the lead for the first time in his career. Bira then fell behind Collins and Titterington. On lap 5, towards the back, Mike Hawthorn attempted to pass Maria Teresa de Filippis into Calvaire. They misread each other's lines and their wheels locked. De Filippis was sent into the earth bank by the side of the track and flew up and over it. De Filippis promtply exited her car, and while she was conscious, she was in visible pain.

On lap 6, Dries van der Lof pulled into the pits with an oil leak. The resulting slick at Thillois caught out Luigi Musso, who span out of his maiden Grand Prix start. By this point, Consalvo Sanesi had risen from eighth place to second behind teammate Godia. On lap 8, Sanesi tried a move for the lead on the start-finish straight, but Godia blindly cut him off, sending him into the pit wall! This move, following his dive into the Monaco harbour, caused Amédée Gordini to lose his temper. At this point, he was only angrily listening to Sanesi's explanation. Meanwhile, Titterington and Bira, rigt behind Godia, were rightfully hesitant to make a move on the Spaniard. They tripped over themselves, allowing Moss through into second place while having started thirteenth!

On lap 10, the race took another turn, as the circuit announcers noticed that Philippe Etancelin had taken to the track in the Guidobaldi, despite having failed to prequalify for the race! Later on, the Frenchman admitted that he simply wanted his final race to actually be a race. In the meantime, he was running around in last place. On lap 12, Hampshire attempted to pass Ramos, but the Brazilian closed the door lazily and knocked himself out of the race. A few laps later, Jack Brabham crashed out at Calvaire, having just set the fastest lap of the race. That same lap, Lance Macklin wrecked yet another car for Reatherson, taking himself out in a big way using Umberto Maglioli to steer him into a ditch. The team boss would not be happy to see Lance walk back to the pits...

On lap 17, Swaters' gearbox failed from 20th position, one of the only mechanical failures so far this season. Indeed, driver incompetence hasn't left enough time for the cars to fail! Then, on lap 20, after such brilliant practice laps, Desmond Titterington span out at Muizon, ending his race. He was in second place. That same lap, Bib Stillwell's Vanwall engine expired on his (and his engine's) first start. At this point, Godia's lead was substantial over the battle for second between Bira, Moss and Collins for B.C.M.A. Bettenhausen then proceeded to blow a tyre on random debris and crash out when he lost control, reducing the field to 21 drivers, then 20 when Giannino Marzotto's engine failed. Then 19 when Harry Schell span out on the resulting oil. 25 laps had been run at this point.

On lap 27, Tony Brooks lost control of his car at Calvaire, collided and flew over the earth bank, much like de Filippis did. Miraculously, Brooks also walked away from the wreckage and, like the gentlemanly medecine student he is, offered to check de Filippis' injury after her accident. Meanwhile, the paddock was completely dumbfounded by Philippe Etancelin actually beating a few drivers at times in the Guidobaldi who had only shown really bad performance until then. Apart from the occasional overtake, nothing really happened until lap 34, when Stirling Moss retired from fourth place with a transmission failure, joining Titterington, who had stayed by the side of the track to enjoy the rest of the race.

On lap 35, Bira had an oil leak and retired from the race, leaving 16 drivers still running. Then, on the next lap, Giuseppe Farina had one of the scariest moments of the race when his brakes completely failed at Muizon. He bailed from the car as it clipped the stopped Lancia of Titterington and barrell-rolled into the wheat fields of Gueux. Farina promptly got up, brushed some dust off his shoulder and calmly walked to the incredulous Titterington and Moss, who had just witnessed the accident. All these scenes contributed to making this race one of the best-remebered of all time. On top of this, Peter Collins' B.C.M.A. engine expired out of a brilliant second place, causing Peter Whitehead (running third) to spin out on the oil. After 40 laps, Godia led from Tony Gaze, Robert Manzon, Maurice Trintignant, Alberto Ascari, David Hampshire, Stan Jones, Umberto Maglioli, José Froilan Gonzalez, Porfirio Rubirosa, Dorino Serafini, Philippe Etancelin and Mike Hawthorn.

On lap 43, Umberto Maglioli's suspension failed from ninth place, ending a promising race for B.C.M.A. and leaving twelve drivers in the race. On lap 47, it was Stan Jones' engine that failed out of seventh place. Maurice Trintignant passed Manzon and Gaze to take second place, with the Australian driver suffering from a gearbox failure on lap 54, leaving only ten drivers. Then, there were nine when Trintignant's clutch failed on the very next lap. On lap 58, Amédée Gordini had made his decision about Paco Godia and decided to fire the Spaniard who was dominating the race. Not wanting to wait for the end of the race, he sent the message to him via pitboard. Godia's reaction was to pull over into the pits on the next lap, pull his helmet off, put it down and walk away from the shouting Amédée towards the Phoenix garage, where he could speak Spanish. That same lap, Gonzalez, who would have taken third place, span off at Thillois, leaving just seven drivers. Robert Manzon now led from Ascari, David Hampshire in third, Serafini, Rubirosa, Mike Hawthorn in the Vanwall and Philippe Etancelin, still running in the Guidobaldi!

It wasn't to be, however. Once he'd started to fall behind, the Reims-Gueux track marshalls finally made the decision to show him the black flag, disqualifying him. Knowing that this would happen, he stopped in the pits, crossed the circuit to climb on the straw bales in front of the grandstands and take a bow for the roaring crowd, taking a well-deserved retirement from racing at the age of 58. And with 6 laps remaining, Robert Manzon's engine failed out of the race lead, leaving only five cars! Alberto Ascari now led from Hampshire, Serafini, Hawthorn and Rubirosa, while Manzon would still be classified and in the points by default. And in the end, it was an emotional end to a crazy, crazy race, as Alberto Ascari raised both arms in the air to finally win his first championship Grand Prix after over five years of trying. In similar fashion, David Hampshire finished the race in second, ahead of Dorino Serafini, Mike Hawthorn and Porfirio Rubirosa.

Classification

Entry list

No Driver Entrant Chassis Engine
1 Flag of Germany svg.png Helmut Niedermayr Flag of Germany svg.png Trod von Hoff Racing Von Hoff TVHR100 O.S.C.A. 156s 1.5 L6s
2 Flag of Italy svg.png Maria Teresa de Filippis Flag of Italy svg.png Maria Teresa de Filippis O.S.C.A. F154 O.S.C.A. 156s 1.5 L6s
3 Flag of Brazil svg.png Hernando da Silva Ramos Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Bernie C. Ecclestone Mercedes-Benz WM-2 Bentley 16VL-1 3.0 V16
4 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Bernie Ecclestone Mercedes-Benz WM-2 Bentley 16VL-1 3.0 V16
5 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png David Hampshire Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Hampshire Racing Alliance Bentley Speed 4 Bentley 16VL-1 3.0 V16
6 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Roy Salvadori Bentley Speed 4 O.S.C.A. 156s 1.5 L6s
7 Flag of Italy svg.png Dorino Serafini Flag of Italy svg.png Officine Renzo Alfa Romeo AR161 Alfa Romeo AR2V8 1.5 V8
8 Flag of Italy svg.png Cesare Perdisa Alfa Romeo AR161 Alfa Romeo AR2V8 1.5 V8
9 Flag of Switzerland svg.png Toulo de Graffenried Ambrosiana A-002 Ferrari 555 2.5 L4
10 Flag of France svg.png André Simon Flag of France svg.png Écurie Voeckler Alfa Romeo AR161 Jaguar JFE-2 4.5 V12
11 Flag of Monaco svg.png Louis Chiron Alfa Romeo AR161 Jaguar JFE-2 4.5 V12
12 Flag of Spain svg.png Alfonso de Portago Flag of Austria svg.png Loyer Racing Loyer LR101 Porsche 755 1.5 L4
14 Flag of France svg.png Roger Loyer Loyer LR101 Porsche 755 1.5 L4
15 Flag of Italy svg.png Eugenio Castellotti Flag of Germany svg.png Porsche System Engineering Porsche 855 Porsche 755 1.5 L4
16 Flag of France svg.png Jean Behra Porsche 855 Porsche 755 1.5 L4
17 Flag of Spain svg.png Paco Godia Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png/Flag of France svg.png Alexander Racing Team-Gordini Gordini G-953 Gordini ART-004 3.0 V6
18 Flag of the Dominican Republic svg.png Porfirio Rubirosa Gordini G-953 Gordini ART-004 3.0 V6
19 Flag of Italy svg.png Consalvo Sanesi Gordini G-953 Gordini ART-004 3.0 V6
20 Flag of France svg.png Robert Manzon Gordini G-953 Gordini ART-004 3.0 V6
21 Flag of France svg.png Aldo Gordini Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Anglo Racing Engineering Gordini G-953 Gordini ART-004 3.0 V6
22 Flag of Argentina svg.png Roberto Mières Flag of Argentina svg.png Escuderia Hernandez Bentley Speed 4 FIAT 155 1.5 V8
23 Flag of France svg.png Philippe Étancelin Flag of France svg.png Guidobaldi Guidobaldi FG01 Mercedes UM153 4.5 V10
24 Flag of Argentina svg.png José Froilán González Flag of Italy svg.png/Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Scuderia Anglo-Italia O.S.C.A. F154 Bentley 16VL-1 3.0 V16
25 Flag of Belgium svg.png Jacques Swaters O.S.C.A. F154 Bentley 16VL-1 3.0 V16
26 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Peter Whitehead Bentley Speed 4 O.S.C.A. 156s 1.5 L6s
27 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Stirling Moss Bentley Speed 4 O.S.C.A. 156s 1.5 L6s
28 Flag of the United States svg.png Harry Schell Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Geoff Richardson Racing Bentley Speed 4 Bentley 16VL-1 3.0 V16
29 Flag of France svg.png André Guelfi Flag of Morocco svg.png Écurie Maghreb Lancia D50 Lancia DS50 2.5 V8
30 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Desmond Titterington Flag of Ireland svg.png Irish Racing Cars Lancia D50 Lancia DS50 2.5 V8
31 Flag of Australia svg.png Lex Davison Flag of Australia svg.png Scuderia Australasia Aston Martin AM-04 Jaguar JFE-2 4.5 V12
32 Flag of Ireland svg.png Reg Armstrong Flag of Ireland svg.png Irish Racing Cars Lancia D50 Lancia DS50 2.5 V8
33 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Peter Collins Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png British Commonwealth Motorsport Association B.C.M.A. C-01 B.C.M.A. A/AS Griffin 2.5 L6
34 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Tony Brooks B.C.M.A. C-01 B.C.M.A. A/AS Griffin 2.5 L6
35 Flag of Italy svg.png Umberto Maglioli B.C.M.A. C-01 B.C.M.A. A/AS Griffin 2.5 L6
36 Flag of Australia svg.png Bib Stillwell Flag of New Zealand svg.png Tasman Racing Alliance O.S.C.A. F154 Vanwall 254 2.5 L4
37 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Ron Flockhart Flag of Italy svg.png Officine Alfieri Maserati Cooper T41 Maserati 200F 2.0 L6
38 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Lance Macklin Flag of Ireland svg.png Reatherson Racing Developments Ferrari 555 Ferrari 555 2.5 L4
39 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Ken Wharton Ferrari 555 Ferrari 555 2.5 L4
40 Flag of Australia svg.png Jack Brabham Flag of Italy svg.png Alfa Romeo SpA Alfa Romeo AR161 Alfa Romeo AR2V8 1.5 V8
41 Flag of Italy svg.png Giuseppe Farina Alfa Romeo AR161 Alfa Romeo AR2V8 1.5 V8
42 Flag of Australia svg.png Tony Gaze Alfa Romeo AR160 Alfa Romeo ARV8 1.5 V8
43 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Mike Hawthorn Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Vanwall Vanwall VW55 Vanwall 254 2.5 L4
44 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Dennis Poore Vanwall VW55 Vanwall 254 2.5 L4
45 Flag of Italy svg.png Giannino Marzotto Flag of Italy svg.png Maria Teresa de Filippis O.S.C.A. F154 O.S.C.A. 156s 1.5 L6s
46 Flag of the United States svg.png Tony Bettenhausen Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Jaguar - Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin AM-04 Jaguar JFE-2 4.5 V12
47 Flag of the Netherlands svg.png Dries van der Lof Aston Martin AM-04 Jaguar JFE-2 4.5 V12
48 Flag of Thailand svg.png B. Bira Aston Martin AM-04 Jaguar JFE-2 4.5 V12
49 Flag of France svg.png Maurice Trintignant Aston Martin AM-04 Jaguar JFE-2 4.5 V12
50 Flag of Australia svg.png Stan Jones Flag of Bulgaria (1948-1967) svg.png/Flag of China svg.png Balkan Leader Alfa Romeo AR161 Balkan Lion F154 1.5 L4
51 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Kenneth McAlpine Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Owen Racing Organisation Bentley Speed 4 Bentley 16VL-1 3.0 V16
52 Flag of Italy svg.png Luigi Musso Flag of Italy svg.png Scuderia Ambrosiana Ambrosiana A-004 Alfa Romeo ARV8 1.5 V8
53 Flag of Uruguay svg.png Alberto Uria Ambrosiana A-004 Alfa Romeo ARV8 1.5 V8
54 Flag of Belgium svg.png Johnny Claes Flag of Belgium svg.png Ecurie Nationale Belge Cooper T41 Jaguar JFE-2 4.5 V12
55 Flag of Italy svg.png Alberto Ascari Flag of Spain svg.png Phoenix Racing Organisation Phoenix PRO-4 O.S.C.A. 156s 1.5 L6s
n/a* Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Reg Parnell Flag of Italy svg.png Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari 555 Ferrari 555 2.5 L4
n/a* Flag of Italy svg.png Nello Pagani Ferrari 555 Ferrari 555 2.5 L4

Prequalifying

Pos No Driver Constructor Time Gap
1 30 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Desmond Titterington Lancia 2:26.11 -
2 17 Flag of Spain svg.png Paco Godia Gordini 2:28.54 + 2.43
3 34 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Tony Brooks B.C.M.A. 2:29.69 + 3.58
4 32 Flag of Ireland svg.png Reg Armstrong Lancia 2:29.98 + 3.87
5 36 Flag of Australia svg.png Bib Stillwell O.S.C.A.-Vanwall 2:31.37 + 5.26
6 29 Flag of France svg.png André Guelfi Lancia 2:32.79 + 6.68
7 52 Flag of Italy svg.png Luigi Musso Ambrosiana-Alfa Romeo 2:32.85 + 6.74
8 38 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Lance Macklin Ferrari 2:32.96 + 6.85
9 44 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Dennis Poore Vanwall 2:33.18 + 7.07
10 53 Flag of Uruguay svg.png Alberto Uria Ambrosiana-Alfa Romeo 2:33.72 + 7.61
11 39 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Ken Wharton Ferrari 2:33.90 + 7.79
12 8 Flag of Italy svg.png Cesare Perdisa Alfa Romeo 2:34.47 + 8.36
13 14 Flag of France svg.png Roger Loyer Loyer-Porsche 2:34.63 + 8.52
14 15 Flag of Italy svg.png Eugenio Castellotti Porsche 2:34.80 + 8.69
15 12 Flag of Spain svg.png Alfonso de Portago Loyer-Porsche 2:35.27 + 9.16
16 21 Flag of France svg.png Aldo Gordini Gordini 2:35.29 + 9.18
17 51 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Kenneth McAlpine Bentley 2:36.67 + 10.56
18 6 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Roy Salvadori Bentley-O.S.C.A. 2:36.92 + 10.81
19 37 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Ron Flockhart Cooper-Maserati 2:37.39 + 11.28
20 31 Flag of Australia svg.png Lex Davison Aston Martin-Jaguar 2:38.69 + 12.58
21 23 Flag of France svg.png Philippe Étancelin Guidobaldi-Mercedes 2:40.57 + 14.46
22 1 Flag of Germany svg.png Helmut Niedermayr Von Hoff-O.S.C.A. 2:41.74 + 15.63

Qualifying

1. Desmond Titterington (Lancia) - 2:26.11
2. B. Bira (Aston Martin-Jaguar) - 2:26.80
3. Paco Godia (Gordini) - 2:27.37
4. Peter Collins (B.C.M.A.) - 2:27.99
5. Tony Bettenhausen (Aston Martin-Jaguar) - 2:28.14
6. Dries van der Lof (Aston Martin-Jaguar) - 2:28.42
7. Tony Gaze (Alfa Romeo) - 2:28.87
8. Consalvo Sanesi (Gordini) - 2:28.94
9. Jack Brabham (Alfa Romeo) - 2:29.00
10. Tony Brooks (B.C.M.A.) - 2:29.40
11. Peter Whitehead (Bentley-O.S.C.A.) - 2:29.46
12. Giuseppe Farina (Alfa Romeo) - 2:29.94
13. Stirling Moss (Bentley-O.S.C.A.) - 2:30.08
14. Maurice Trintignant (Aston Martin-Jaguar) - 2:30.32
15. Bib Stillwell (O.S.C.A.-Vanwall) - 2:30.64
16. Hernando da Silva Ramos (Mercedes-Bentley) - 2:30.70
17. José Froilan Gonzalez (O.S.C.A.-Bentley) - 2:31.03
18. Robert Manzon (Gordini) - 2:31.08
19. Alberto Ascari (Phoenix-O.S.C.A.) - 2:31.12
20. Porfirio Rubirosa (Gordini) - 2:31.31
21. Harry Schell (Bentley) - 2:31.52
22. Stan Jones (Alfa Romeo-Balkan Lion) - 2:31.63
23. Lance Macklin (Ferrari) - 2:31.94
24. Luigi Musso (Ambrosiana-Alfa Romeo) - 2:32.26
25. Jacques Swaters (O.S.C.A.-Bentley) - 2:32.66
26. Giannino Marzotto (O.S.C.A.) - 2:32.67
27. Dorino Serafini (Alfa Romeo) - 2:32.80
28. Toulo de Graffenried (Ambrosiana-Ferrari) - 2:32.95
29. Maria Teresa de Filippis (O.S.C.A.) - 2:33.04
30. David Hampshire (Bentley) - 2:33.05
31. Umberto Maglioli (B.C.M.A.) - 2:33.20
32. Mike Hawthorn (Vanwall) - 2:33.24
33. Johnny Claes (Cooper-Jaguar) - 2:33.72
34. Reg Armstrong (Lancia) - 2:33.78
35. Bernie Ecclestone (Mercedes-Bentley) - 2:34.06
36. André Simon (Alfa Romeo-Jaguar) - 2:34.19
37. Jean Behra (Porsche) - 2:34.45
38. Roberto Mieres (Bentley-FIAT) - 2:36.24
39. André Guelfi (Lancia) - 2:36.38
40. Louis Chiron (Alfa Romeo-Jaguar) - 2:37.36

Race

1. Alberto Ascari (Phoenix-O.S.C.A.) 3:06:33.09
2. David Hampshire (Bentley) +1 lap
3. Dorino Serafini (Alfa Romeo) +3 laps
4. Mike Hawthorn (Vanwall) +4 laps
5. Porfirio Rubirosa (Gordini) +4 laps
6. Robert Manzon (Gordini) +6 laps/Engine
Ret. Paco Godia (Gordini) +15 laps/Sacked via pitboard
Ret. José Froilan Gonzalez (O.S.C.A.-Bentley) +19 laps/Spin
Ret. Maurice Trintignant (Aston Martin-Jaguar) +21 laps/Clutch
Ret. Tony Gaze (Alfa Romeo) +22 laps/Gearbox
Ret. Stan Jones (Alfa Romeo-Balkan Lion) +30 laps/Engine
Ret. Umberto Maglioli (B.C.M.A.) +34 laps/Suspension
Ret. Peter Collins (B.C.M.A.) +36 laps/Engine
Ret. Peter Whitehead (Bentley-O.S.C.A.) +36 laps/Accident
Ret. Stirling Moss (Bentley-O.S.C.A.) +40 laps/Transmission
Ret. Giuseppe Farina (Alfa Romeo) +40 laps/Accident
Ret. B. Bira (Aston Martin-Jaguar) +40 laps/Oil leak
Ret. Tony Brooks (B.C.M.A.) +48 laps/Accident
Ret. Harry Schell (Bentley) +50 laps/Spin
Ret. Tony Bettenhausen (Aston Martin-Jaguar) +52 laps/Accident
Ret. Giannino Marzotto (O.S.C.A.) +52 laps/Engine
Ret. Desmond Titterington (Lancia) +54 laps/Spin
Ret. Bib Stillwell (O.S.C.A.-Vanwall) +54 laps/Engine
Ret. Jacques Swaters (O.S.C.A.-Bentley) +57 laps/Gearbox
Ret. Jack Brabham (Alfa Romeo) +58 laps/Accident
Ret. Lance Macklin (Ferrari) +58 laps/Collision
Ret. Hernando da Silva Ramos (Merecedes-Bentley) +62 laps/Collision
Ret. Consalvo Sanesi (Gordini) +66 laps/Collision
Ret. Toulo de Graffenried (Ambrosiana-Ferrari) +66 laps/Spin
Ret. Dries van der Lof (Aston Martin-Jaguar) +68 laps/Oil leak
Ret. Luigi Musso (Ambrosiana-Alfa Romeo) +68 laps/Spin
Ret. Maria Teresa de Filippis (O.S.C.A.) +69 laps/Collision
DSQ. Philippe Etancelin (Guidobaldi-Mercedes) +15 laps/Illegal race start

Notes

Championship standings

Pos Driver Points
1 Flag of Italy svg.png Alberto Ascari 13
2 Flag of the Netherlands svg.png Dries van der Lof 9
3 Flag of Italy svg.png Consalvo Sanesi 6
4 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png David Hampshire 6
5 Flag of Italy svg.png Dorino Serafini 4
Pos Constructor Points
1 Flag of Spain 1945-1977 svg.png Phoenix-O.S.C.A. 13
2 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Aston Martin-Jaguar 9
3 Flag of France svg.png Gordini 8
4 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Bentley 6
5 Flag of Italy svg.png Alfa Romeo 4
Pos Driver Points
1 Flag of Spain 1945-1977 svg.png Phoenix Racing Organisation 13
2 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Jaguar-Aston Martin Racing 9
3 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png/Flag of France svg.png Alexander Racing Team-Gordini 8
4 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Hampshire Racing Alliance 3
5 Flag of Italy svg.png Officine Renzo 0
  • Only the top five positions are listed.
Previous race:
1955 Monaco Grand Prix
Alternate Formula 1 World Championship
1955 Season
Next race:
1955 Belgian Grand Prix
Previous race:
1954 French Grand Prix
French Grand Prix Next race:
1956 French Grand Prix