MERCEDES-BENZ W 196 – year 1955

Daimler Benz AG, Stuttgart, FRG.

The new Mercedes-Benz W 196 with an aerodynamic body, it was at the starting line for the first time 4 July 1954 of the year in the French Grand Prix race in Reims, exactly 40 years after Lautenschlager's victory at the ACF Grand Prix in 1914 year. This time Juan Manuel Fangio was in the Mercedes team, Karl Kling and novice Hans Hermann. Fangio won with average speed 186,6 km/h. Kling came second. In the next Grand Prix race, in England, however, shortcomings in the body structure were revealed, also covering the wheels. In a tangle of turns, marked with barrels on the runway of Silverstone Airport, even such an experienced competitor as Fangio lost his orientation in the position of the wheels and, as a result, finished only in fourth place.

Mercedes W. 196 got a new monoposto body. The wheelbase has also been changed, shortening it to 2210 mm. The modified version of the vehicle had a mass 640 kg. Fangio on this car won the Swiss Grand Prix in Bern (159,6 km/h), RFN Grand Prize (134,1 km/h) and the Italian Grand Prix in Monza (180,2 km/h). In the Spanish Grand Prix race, a newspaper got into the intake opening in the front of the body, which is stuck to the radiator. Fangio fell to third place with the engine failing, but his victories in previous races secured him the title of world champion for the second time with 48 points.

Even more successful for Mercedes W cars 196 was a year 1955, when they won five of the six Grand Prix races organized. Fangio has won four Grand Prix races: in Argentina (124,1 km/h), Belgium (191,4 km/h), the Netherlands (143,4 km/h) and in Italy (205,6 km/h). The fifth competition was won for Daimler - Benz Stirling Moss in England.

Mercedes W 196 they only failed once, in Italy, when neither of these cars finished the competition. Apart from these unlucky races, one can say, That 1955 the year was marked by the "silver arrows”, because that was what these cars were called. The more surprised everyone was the statement by prof. dr. Eng. Fritz Nallinger at last 1955 year, who declared, that Daimler-Benz is withdrawing from racing, and will use his experience in serial production. Thus, the W 196 prematurely in the company museum in Stuttgart.