1954 F1 Season

The 1954 Formula One season was a pivotal year in F1 racing, marked by significant changes and notable achievements. Juan Manuel Fangio, an Argentine driver, distinguished himself by becoming the only driver in F1 history to win a championship driving for more than one team in the same season, claiming victories for both Maserati and Mercedes-Benz. This achievement led him to win the World Championship of Drivers, with his compatriot José Froilán González placing second.

The season was notable for the introduction of 2.5 litre unsupercharged engines, a significant shift from previous years. Mercedes-Benz re-entered Grand Prix racing after the Second World War at the French Grand Prix, showcasing the Mercedes-Benz W196, a streamlined single-seater. Fangio, having switched from Maserati, achieved a 1-2 win with this car alongside Karl Kling. However, Fangio’s success with Mercedes contrasted with reigning champion Alberto Ascari’s less successful season, as he switched from Ferrari to the newly formed Lancia team, but their car, the D50, was not ready until the final race, hindering his title defence.

Points were awarded for the first five places in each race, with additional points for the fastest lap. Only the best five of nine scores were counted towards the championship. There was also a tragic moment in the season, as Argentine Onofre Marimón was killed during practice for the German Grand Prix, marking the first fatality at a championship Formula One race weekend.