Caracciola returned to racing in 1952, when he was recalled to the Mercedes-Benz factory team to drive the new Mercedes-Benz 300SL in sports car races.
Caracciola je bil povabljen na dirko Indianapolis 500 1946, na kateri je prvotno želel nastopiti z enim od dirkalnikov tipa W165, ki pa ga ni uspel dobiti pravočasno.