1955 F1 Season

The 1955 Formula One season, the ninth in the series, was marked by triumph and tragedy. The season, starting on 16 January and concluding on 11 September, comprised seven races. Juan Manuel Fangio clinched his second consecutive World Championship title, driving for Mercedes, which dominated the championship. Mercedes drivers won five of the seven races, with Fangio securing four victories and his teammate Stirling Moss winning the British Grand Prix. Ferrari’s sole victory came at the Monaco Grand Prix, a race marred by the crash of Lancia driver Alberto Ascari into the harbour. Tragically, Ascari died days later in a testing accident at Monza.

The season was deeply affected by the disaster at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 11 June, which resulted in the deaths of driver Pierre Levegh and over 80 spectators. This catastrophe led to the cancellation of the French, German, Spanish, and Swiss Grands Prix. The cancellations effectively ensured Fangio’s championship win. The season also saw the deaths of Italian driver Mario Alborghetti at the non-championship Pau Grand Prix and two drivers at the Indianapolis 500. The 1955 season concluded with the Argentine, Monaco, Indianapolis 500, Belgian, Dutch, British, and Italian Grands Prix, and marked the last championship for Mercedes until 2014.