The best race, "Formula 1" in history

• The best race, "Formula 1" in the history of

The man likes to make lists. Person of the Year, chief kinozlodey in history, the top 100 ugliest cars in the world. The shelves of the unfolded form of information is not only better absorbed, but from the looks attractive. Another thing is that objectivity in such compilations bit. How, in fact, possible to resolve the dispute between the Pontiac Aztec and Ssangyong Rodius? Who are the main Quasimodo in the history of the car?

Or take the case. The first Grand Prix, "Formula 1" was held on the track "Silverstone" in 1950. This year, the "Circus Maximus" turned 67 years old. Is it possible in a huge list of 971 race - yes, statistics knows all - to find the most-most? So many brilliant victories, so many grand battles. How many tragedies.

Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but if there had been only one attempt at the 971 option - it is the Italian Grand Prix in 1956. The race, the events that is not something that can not be repeated, the current generation of pilots and fans may not even be able to understand what happened at all.

Enzo with his eagles: Musso, Kastelotti Collins.

On the first weekend of autumn 1956 in the "Monza" decided the fate of the world title F1. On the eve of the Italian Grand Prix, the last start of the season, a real chance to preserve the primacy of the two pilots. He led the great Juan Manuel Fangio - already at that time, the three-time world champion. On account of the Argentine, in that year, defended the colors of the Ferrari, there were 30 points. His closest pursuers - without fear of Frenchman Jean Behra Maserati and a young Englishman, Peter Collins, also protects red color "Prancing stallion" - fell behind by eight points.

However, given that the World Cup standings were only five of the best results of the season, Behr has no claim to the title. But Collins - completely. Fangio advantage at first glance, more than respectable, especially considering the previous system of scoring: 8-6-4-3-2-1, plus 1 point for fastest lap in the race. But do not forget about the rule of "five of the eight best results." It turned out, the treasury Juan Manuel in the "Monza" could only fill up a place on the podium. For any other result, and of course winning the championship Collins went to a competitor.

Lancia Ferrari D50, which brought the team title in 1956.

Naturally, in a Ferrari we tried to do everything to ensure that the necessary result. "Scuderia" put up for the Italian Grand Prix six factory cars. In addition to the main pilots of the team, already mentioned Fangio, Collins, as well as the Italians Luigi Musso and Eugene Kastelotti, fast and reliable Lancia Ferrari D50 have at their disposal the Spaniard Alfonso de Portago and the German Wolfgang von Trips, debuting on the tracks Grand Prix. The Maserati responded with two brand-new copies of his famous 250F for Jean Bera and Stirling Moss. In addition, it was impossible to ignore the Vanwall team riders - British built very fast, however, is still very unreliable car.

Enzo Ferrari and Juan Manuel Fangio.

Qualifying was dictated by Ferrari. The right to start from the first row have won just three red car, the best time showed it Fangio, once again proved that he is not only a great strategist off-piste, but also extremely fast driver. Ten-circle Argentinian overcome and 2 minutes 42 seconds 6.

Peter Collins - rival Juan Manuel in the fight for the title - only content with a place in the third row. The only unpleasant episode for Ferrari in qualifying - a strange accident newcomer von Trips. The young German only get used to the new machine and the new route as unexpectedly fall in Curva Grande - the first turn after the start - at speeds above 200 kilometers per hour. And I flew in all possible ways - the pilot literally thrown out of the cockpit. Fortunately, Wolfgang escaped with slight shock, bruises and bumps.

"The car just yanked right. I do not understand what happened - on the lap I did not go too fast ... "- rubbing his bruises, he told von Trips in just half an hour. But no one at Ferrari did not pay attention to the young rider words, writing off the incident at the simple lack of experience. Broken Lancia Ferrari D50 rolled into the pits, not even bothering to spend at least the minimum technical inspection. And for good reason. Even a cursory examination would necessarily reveal atypical steering lever breakage, which is in the race will play a crucial role for the other Ferrari factory pilots.

In any case, before the start it seemed that the main problem for the "Scuderia" will tire. I must say, 1956 Italian Grand Prix was held at the "Monza" combined configuration, includes part of the profiled corners where the cars reach a maximum speed.

However, it turns concreted posed a serious threat to the tires. Just a few laps in the ultimate battle mode monstrous centrifugal force on a par with rough concrete pavement began to stratify protector that get any unpleasant abruptly unscheduled pit stop. And Belgian Englebert tires fitted to the Ferrari, resisted this infernal abrasive worse than Pirelli, Dunlop and Avon, which are used by competitors.

That is why the veteran Fangio even before the race has offered two other start from the first row of the pilots Ferrari - Musso and Kastelotti - sensible option of team tactics. Argentine leading the race, the tire retains and builds an edge over competitors machines, and closer to the finish line ahead of Italians passes, allowing them to show off in front of the local public and in the internal dispute decide the fate of the Grand Prix. It is logical? Absolutely. Obeyed whether Musso and Kastelotti master of the board? Of course not.

Here it is ruthless to tires Banking "Monza".

From the very first meters after the start of the pair of Italian males sped forward, desperately fighting with each other and completely forgetting about caution. In less than five laps, as their "englbery" asked for mercy. Even with the stands could be seen on the concrete Banking peeled pieces of tire tread. The leaders on the move jumped into the pits, but pereobuvshis returned to the track only in the second ten.

"Rubber" suffering "Scuderia" continued. In the sixth round rear tire did not survive in the Ferrari de Portago. Spaniard spun, after which he walked slowly toward the boxes. Soon, almost the same number repeated Kastelotti - even new tires could not withstand the test of thoughtless shaped bends "Monza".

Maserati Stirling Moss pursues Ferrari Fangio.

Argentinian himself as best he could tire the shore, keeping close to the leaders - "Maserati" Stirling Moss "Venuolla" Harry Schell. Juan Manuel the only Ferrari drivers managed to save the tires - Collins at that time, too, have been in the pits - and seemed confident approaching the fourth title. Suddenly just before mid-race car number 22 taxied to the pits. Replacement tires? No, Argentine machine was something worse - Faulty right steering arm. Trouble that can not be resolved within a few seconds.

Fangio in the pits - something went wrong.

Fangio unbuckled his helmet and sat down sadly at a distance from the machine, around which, like a bunch of ants, scurrying mechanics. His chances for the title will not look so rosy. After Collins was, perhaps, the only Ferrari driver in the season, one for speed, and most importantly - prudence, could argue with Fangio. In confirmation of this Englishman, who started the race quite carefully, closer to the equator it got to the third and then into second place. A little more pressure, yet a little luck - and cheerful, Peter will be the champion.

For Enzo Ferrari Peter Collins will forever remain one of the most popular drivers.

However, it was another means. In those years, the "Formula 1" was used extensively karshering. If someone from the pilots broke the machine, according to the regulations, he could literally change the course of the race team-mate at the wheel of another car. In this case, the crew earned points equally divided between the two athletes.

When in the Ferrari pits for a new batch of "englberov" once again plunged Luigi Musso, Italian asked (it was asked, no team orders) give way to Fangio at the wheel. But Luigi shook his head emphatically and pereobuvshis, drove off the track.

Every time Fangio recalled the events of September 2, 1956, at his eyes welling up with tears.

What motivated the Italian, who refused to come to the rescue of a fellow "Scuderia", it is difficult to guess. Perhaps Musso did not want to share a possible victory to someone else? Dreamed alone become a national hero? That it turns any Italian, who won the Grand Prix of Italy at the Italian car. It may well be. Looking ahead, it should be noted that it is not the most noble, which really must admit, the act did not bring Luigi dividends.

Three laps before the finish for Ferrari at number 28 broke - guess what? That's right - the steering arm. Musso at the time confidently in the lead. Fangio silently mourned in the pits. And here there was absolutely incredible, something completely inaccessible to the current generation of F1 drivers at all, as they say, respect.

Maserati Luigi Pilotta pushes remaining without fuel car Stirling Moss to the boxes.

After five laps after the pit stop in the Ferrari pits Musso drove the car Collins. Seeing Fangio, sadly sitting on the fence between the pit lane and the track and seemed to have resigned themselves to float away the championship, Peter immediately understood. He instantly jumped out, giving way to driving the Argentinian pilot. "And because nobody did not ask! - every time Fangio recalled the events of September 2, 1956, at his eyes welling up with tears. - I remember, I opened his arms to embrace him, and even kissed her, and then got behind the wheel and rushed to the track. "

At the Italian Grand Prix was all for what we love racing: incredible struggle for each meter of distance, desperate overtaking, scenic accident, rain, mixing card leaders, dark horses, declare themselves in full voice (for the first time in the history of English Vanwall led along the GPs). And how to forget the dramatic episode shortly before the finish, when Maserati 250F Moss ran out of fuel (leakage) and up to Stirling boxes literally dotolkal one of privateers Team Modena Luigi Pilotta. But the main race in the history of the Grand Prix makes it a fantastic example of nobility, Peter Collins, sacrifice his chance to become a champion for a teammate.

"Fangio has always been an idol for Peter - later recalled his wife Louise Collins. - In addition, he was only 24 years old - he did not feel the need to become a world champion right here, right now. But that has always been important to him - is the team spirit. If Peter did not win himself, he wanted to be sure to win one of their own. I think today's pilots do not even understand what it was about. "

Peter Collins.

At least, it is difficult to imagine a conditional Ferstapenna intentionally permeable forward, let Rikyardo, for reasons of, say, "I still have time to become a world champion." Big money turned the "Formula 1" in big business, and today such an act would be called not so much noble as stupid and unprofessional. Probably great to have back in the '50s, no one knew what the world Grand Prix will be the six decades later.

1956 Italian Grand Prix ended in a double triumph for the locals. Race was won by Moss on Maserati, but the title has left Ferrari and Fangio. A noble deed Collins deprived him of the championship is quite possible, but always made the Englishman one of the favorite pilots Enzo. "Now I can tell everyone that was close to indecent for the title of world champion!" - as usual cheerful and carefree, smiling at Peter after the finish of the incredible Grand Prix.

Less than two years after the death he will break at the Nürburgring at the wheel of Ferrari 246. He did not have time to become a champion.