1956 British GP

## Track Facts

* Name – Silverstone
* Location – UK
* Corners – 8
* Laps – 101
* Base (Worst) Lap Time – 2:00.000
* Lap Record (Real Life) – 1:41.000 (Stirling Moss)
* Lap Record (F1R) – 1:33.171 (Peter Whitehead (A Ciuchi))
* Pit Lane Length – 30 seconds
* Fuel Consumption – Low
* Tyre Wear – Medium

## Qualifying

Gerard returns to his former performance levels, with a peerless display on home ground that stuns not only the crowd but his rivals as well! He has nearly a full second in hand over nearest contender Collins, and 2 laps less used too!!!

Collins has de Graffenried behind him in 3rd, followed by Landi's Connaught in 4th and Perdisa's Maserati in 5th (his best qualifying performance since the non-championship Indy race this season - which if you recall he went on to win!!!). Connaught's populate the next few rows of the grid with either Ferrari's or Maserati's beside them - as we see Fangio 6th, Bayol 7th, Bonnier 8th, von Trips 9th, Piotti 10th and Menditeguy 11th just missing out on a top 10 place by 0.1 of a second!

"Best of the rest" is Fairman's Cooper ahead of the Emeryson trio led unusually by Emery from Maglioli and Villoresi - Salvadori is a lowly 16th place, but he does hold the record for winning from the lowest position ever (19th in France '54) so you never know! Brabham is another who struggled for pace and starts 17th alongside the Maserati of Castellotti.

Manzon qualifies in 19th for Cooper, making it 2 races in a row the British marque have 2 cars on the start grid (hopefully he can last longer than Taruffi did last race!), whilst Godia rounds out the top 20 for Emeryson. Also qualifying are Simon's BRM, who is sandwiched between Hawthorn and Pilette for Gordini at the back of the grid. No Brooks, Flockhart or da Silva Ramos as they miss their 1st races of the season respectively.

## Grid

Gerard leads the way and looks like he's determined to put the disappointment of last race behind him. Collins and de Graffenried are the men putting the pressure on the leader, though how much they'll be able to do on Gerard's home ground is debatable. Of course it's Collins' home track too, so he'll be able to use his experience here to good effect.

Landi and Perdisa round out the top 5 of the grid; we've seen a renaissance from the Connaught driver this season, whilst the young Maserati driver is going from strength to strength and has regularly been a top 10 contender this season - but we need to see more points finishes from him really.

Fangio, Bayol, Bonnier, von Trips and Piotti round out the top 10 - with all 4 Connaughts inside that top 10, and looking to take their best team finish of the season. Bayol and von Trips will be aiming to upset their hopes when the race gets under-way. Emeryson have one of their worst qualifying performances this season - with the best qualifier Emery in 13th, leading the way ahead of Maglioli and Villoresi. Surprisingly poor performances in qualifying from Salvadori and Brabham sees them down in 16th and 17th, with the potential for some great overtaking action as a result.

## Race Commentary

Gerard targeting 200 career points today, if he can finish 2nd or above. Looks well on track for that, given his dominant pole position. Threats to that come from championship rival Collins, ever-present de Graffenried, Connaught squadron led by Landi and Maserati team-mate Perdisa waiting in the wings too! Tough to overtake on this high speed track though…

*Lap 1* – Gerard gets away comfortably in 1st from Collins and de Graffenried. Landi under pressure from Perdisa, but he blocks the Maserati who loses masses of time and finds the field concertinaed up behind him! Several passes as a result – Bonnier passes Bayol for 7th, Menditeguy passes Piotti for 10th, Salvadori on the move up to 12th overall after epic start (!), Emery takes Fairman for what has become 13th, Villoresi passes Maglioli for what is now 15th, Hawthorn up from 21st to 19th, Manzon down to 20th, Pilette from last to 21st drops Godia to 22nd and Simon to 23rd

*Lap 2* – FL for Gerard 2:01.7

Landi gaining on de Graffenried for 3rd, with Perdisa also hunting them down

Menditeguy catching von Trips for 9th

Salvadori being blocked by Piotti for 11th

Fairman catching Emery for 13th

Brabham passes both Emeryson’s for 15th, as Villoresi faulters and drops behind Maglioli as well

Pilette now inside top 20 ahead of Manzon, who also loses a place to Godia too

*Lap 3* – FL for Gerard 2:01.5

Fangio catching Perdisa for 5th

Salvadori catching Piotti again for 11th after losing time

Castellotti close to passing Villoresi, but the door is slammed shut

*Lap 4* – FL for Gerard 2:01.4

Landi has a go at de Graffenried, but loses time as he runs wide to try and overtake

Fangio blocked by Perdisa

Piotti catching Menditeguy as whole midfield pack bunching up!

Salvadori passes Piotti for 11th place

Brabham blocked by Fairman for 14th

Castellotti takes Villoresi for 17th place, now close behind Maglioli

*Lap 5* – Landi catching de Graffenried again for 3rd place

Menditeguy gaining on von Trips for 9th

Brabham catching Fairman again for 14th

Villoresi finds some pace, as he gains on Castellotti for 17th

*Lap 6* – Still Landi gaining on 3rd place de Graffenried

Salvadori now catching Menditeguy for 10th

Castellotti gaining on Maglioli for 16th, but has pressure from Villoresi too!

*Lap 7* – Salvadori still catching Menditeguy for 10th, now 1 tenth down

Maglioli catching Brabham for 15th

Villoresi has a go at Castellotti for 17th place

Manzon catching Godia for 21st

*Lap 8* – Perdisa catching Landi for 4th place, as de Graffenried responds

Salvadori blocked by Menditeguy for 10th place – Piotti also loses time, and Emery gaining on the pair as a result

Castellotti catching Maglioli, who in turn is catching Brabham as they all fight over 15th place

*Lap 9* – Landi has gap to de Graffenried down to under 1 second in fight for 3rd place

Salvadori gaining on Menditeguy for 10th place as he looks to make up lost time

Villoresi catching Castellotti for 17th place

*Lap 10* – FL for Gerard 2:01.2

Fangio catching Perdisa for 5th place, Bonnier also gaining on them!

Salvadori catching Menditeguy for 10th

Maglioli catching Brabham for 15th

Simon now been lapped

*Lap 11* – FL for Gerard 2:01.1 – now 15 second lead!

Landi and de Graffenried trading blows in fight for 3rd place

Fangio has gap to Perdisa down to 2 seconds and gaining as he leaves Bonnier for dust

Maglioli has gap to Brabham down to just 0.3 seconds

*Lap 12* – Fairman starting to catch Emery for 13th place

Castellotti gaining on Maglioli for 16th

Godia goes wide at Copse and heavily damages his car – gifts 21st to Manzon, as both are lapped by Gerard

*Lap 13* – Landi takes gap down to de Graffenried to 0.8 seconds

Fangio catching Perdisa for final points position

Brabham catching Fairman for 14th

Castellotti gaining on Maglioli for 16th

*Lap 14* – Landi catching de Graffenried for 3rd place – 0.6 seconds gap now

Fangio has gap to Perdisa down to 1.9 seconds for 5th

Salvadori takes gap to Menditeguy down to 1.3 seconds, in fight for 10th place

(Simon catching the struggling Godia)

*Lap 15* – FL for Gerard 2:00.8

Perdisa starting to catch Landi for 4th as the Connaught blocked by de Graffenried – 2.2 second gap

Hawthorn and Pilette both lapped now

(Simon catching the struggling Godia for 22nd, as gap down to now just 3 seconds)

*Lap 16* – Landi to de Graffenried gap now 1.1 seconds, Perdisa now 2.1 seconds down

Maglioli takes gap to Brabham down to 0.4 seconds

Villoresi catching Castellotti for 17th – gap down to 2.3 seconds

(Simon passes ailing Godia for 22nd place – Emeryson really needs to pit!)

*Lap 17* – Fangio has gap down to 1.3 seconds in fight for 5th

Brabham takes gap down to 3.7 seconds to Fairman, but maybe needs to focus more on Maglioli who’s now 0.2 seconds away. He in turn has Castellotti 0.5 seconds down

(Godia pits to fix the damage at last – comes out in 22nd place)

*Lap 18* – Landi now just 0.8 seconds behind de Graffenried in fight for 3rd

Fangio has gap down to 1 second in fight for 5th

Villoresi takes gap to Castellotti down to 2.5 seconds

(Godia catching Simon at rate of 2.5 seconds per lap)

*Lap 19* – New FL for Gerard – better 2:00.8

Fangio catching Perdisa and gap down to 0.3 seconds

Maglioli blocked by Brabham, and has Castellotti breathing down his neck

Villoresi 1.2 seconds down on the whole group

*Lap 20* – Landi has gap to de Graffenried down to 0.4 seconds

Menditeguy is 2.4 seconds down on von Trips now and catching for 9th place

Maglioli now just 1.1 seconds down on Brabham, as he gains on him again

*Lap 21* – FL for Gerard 2:00.6 – over 30 second lead!

Collins over 20 seconds ahead of de Graffenried

Landi pressuring de Graffenried for 3rd, only 0.3 seconds behind

Salvadori takes 2 tenths out of Menditeguy 1.7 seconds gap now in 10th place battle

Maglioli continues to take little bites out of Brabham’s lead – catching one thing, passing another!

Castellotti now 0.4 seconds down on Maglioli, with Villoresi 1.2 seconds behind him!!!

(Simon pits and drops behind Godia to the rear of the field)

*Lap 22* – Fangio pulls right onto the back of Perdisa in fight for 5th place!

Salvadori to Menditeguy gap down to 1.4 seconds

Emery pits from 13th, decent stop for Emeryson (not always been the case this season!) – out in 18th place in clear air, but a lap down

Maglioli takes gap to Brabham to less than 1 second, for what is now 14th place battle but all now lapped

Villoresi lapped, but has gap to Castellotti down to 0.8 seconds in fight for 16th now

*Lap 23* – Fangio doesn’t challenge Perdisa, but instead holds himself back and waits for his moment

Bonnier pits from 7th for a great stop, out in 12th position, still on lead lap!

Villoresi gap to Castellotti down to 0.3 seconds in fight for 16th

Fairman lapped now in 13th place

*Lap 24* – More stops this time, both Perdisa and Fangio come in – slow stop for Maserati gifts the place to Fangio. Come out in 10th for Fangio and 11th for Perdisa just ahead of Bonnier.

That moves Bayol up to 5th, von Trips now 6th, Menditeguy 7th, Salvadori 8th, Piotti 9th

Castellotti takes lump out of Maglioli, gap down to 0.4 seconds from 1.3 seconds in 15th place fight!

*Lap 25* – More stops, including leader Gerard in from 1st, out in the lead still but only 3 seconds ahead of Collins after a poor stop for Maserati

Landi, Menditeguy, Salvadori all in, come out in 6th, 11th and 12th respectively

Bayol now 4th, von Trips now 5th, Piotti now 7th, Fangio now 8th, Perdisa now 9th, Bonnier now 10th

Fairman, Villoresi both in, out in 17th and 18th respectively – though slow stop for Cooper means large chunk of lead is now gone

Brabham up to 13th, Maglioli 14th, Castellotti 15th, Emery 16th

Maglioli takes 0.3 seconds out of Brabham – gap now 0.7 seconds, but Castellotti now 0.1 seconds down on the Emeryson as fight for what is now 13th intensifies

Hawthorn, Manzon both in, out in 20th, 21st respectively

Pilette now 19th

*Lap 26* – Bayol and von Trips in, slow stop for Maserati moves the Ferrari ahead as they come out in 9th and 8th respectively

That moves Landi up to 4th, Fangio into 5th, Perdisa up to 6th, Bonnier up to 7th

Piotti pits from 7th, out in 12th

That moves Menditeguy back into 10th, Salvadori back in to 11th

Maglioli pits from 14th, out in 16th behind Emery by a couple of seconds

That moves Castellotti up to 14th and now right on the back of Brabham and applying pressure!

*Lap 27* – Collins and de Graffenried both come in, out in 2nd and 3rd place still – gap to Landi behind now 2.6 secs for the Ferrari

Fangio gaining on Landi by a couple of tenths for 4th place (now a 6.4 second gap)

Bonnier and Perdisa trading lap-times in fight for 6th

Castellotti pits from 14th, slow stop – out in 18th place, moves Emery into 14th, Maglioli 15th, Fairman 16th, Villoresi 17th place

*Lap 28* – Fangio takes another 2 tenths out of Landi for 4th, 6.2 seconds gap

Brabham last man to pit, comes out in 14th place ahead of Maglioli still – good decision to stay out

(Pilette pits from 19th, out in 20th behind Hawthorn)

((Godia pits from 22nd, stays there but only 6 seconds ahead of Simon))

*Lap 29* – Landi takes gap to de Graffenried down to 2.8 seconds in fight for 3rd

Fangio just 6.1 behind Landi now as it all tightens up in that fight!

Bonnier takes gap to Perdisa down to 1.6 seconds in fight for 6th

Bayol catching von Trips for 8th place, gap 0.8 seconds

(Villoresi catching Fairman for 16th place, just 0.5 seconds behind now)

*Lap 30* – 2.6 seconds gap between Landi and de Graffenried, 5.8 second gap back to Fangio

Bonnier 1.2 seconds down on Perdisa for 6th

Bayol now 0.6 seconds down on von Trips

(Fairman takes gap to Maglioli down to 1.3 seconds in 15th place battle)

(Castellotti catching Villoresi – 1.4 seconds gap in 17th place fight)

((Godia gaining on Manzon, but nearly 1 minute behind still!))

*Lap 31* – Landi 2.3 seconds down on de Graffenried for 3rd

Bonnier 1 second behind Perdisa for 6th

Salvadori catching Menditeguy – gap now 3.5 seconds for 10th

(Castellotti now just 1 second behind Villoresi for 17th)

*Lap 32* – Bayol now just 0.2 seconds behind von Trips

Salvadori 3.2 seconds behind Menditeguy now

Piotti has Gerard right behind him and soon will be lapped

(Both Villoresi and Fairman gaining on Maglioli for 15th!)

*Lap 33* – Landi has gap to de Graffenried back down to 2.2 seconds after Ferrari responded last time round

Von Trips responds to Bayol pressure – gap up to 0.5 seconds for 8th place fight

Piotti is lapped by Gerard

*Lap 34* – 1.8 second gap for Landi to de Graffenried

Menditeguy and Salvadori both lapped – only 9 drivers still on lead lap

(Fairman and Villoresi continue to close up to Maglioli)

*Lap 35* – Landi 1.4 seconds behind de Graffenried now

Bayol 0.3 seconds behind von Trips again

*Lap 36* – 0.6 seconds gap from Landi to de Graffenried!!! This is getting close now…

0.2 seconds Bayol to von Trips for 8th

*Lap 37* – De Graffenried responds to Landi pressure – pegs gap at 0.6 seconds

Von Trips and Bayol both lapped (just 7 on lead lap now) – gap still 0.2 seconds though

*Lap 38* – Landi can’t live with de Graffenried at this best, gap out to 1.3 seconds now

Bonnier 3 seconds down on Perdisa in fight for 6th now

(Villoresi right behind Fairman now in fight for 16th!)

*Lap 39* – Landi 0.7 seconds behind de Graffenried again as he responds

(Bayol RIGHT on the back of von Trips for 8th, VERY close battle!)

(Maglioli has gap to Brabham down to 0.7 seconds for 14th)

(Villoresi blocked by Fairman, the Emeryson now has Castellotti just 0.3 seconds behind him!)

*Lap 40* – Gerard now 1 minute ahead of Collins, looking peerless – though still a long way to go!

Landi 0.4 seconds behind de Graffenried, gap back down

Bonnier 2.5 seconds down on Perdisa, as he gets dragged along behind Gerard, who laps Perdisa as well this time around

(Bayol blocked by von Trips – Menditeguy gaining ground now just 6 seconds behind the pair in fight for 8th place)

(Maglioli blocked by Fairman for 15th, with Villoresi and Castellotti also right behind them!)

*Lap 41* – Not much action on the lead lap, as race settles into a rhythm

(Fairman 0.6 seconds down on Maglioli for 15th)

*Lap 42* – Landi now just 0.3 seconds behind de Graffenried – passing one thing, catching another!

(Fairman 0.2 seconds behind Maglioli for 15th)

*Lap 43* – New FL for Gerard 2:00.4 – overcast conditions mean no chance lap record can be beaten today!

Landi blocked by de Graffenried, allows team-mate to gain significantly on them – but Fangio’s still around 7 seconds behind

(Bayol just 0.7 seconds down on Von Trips now)

(Villoresi 1.2 seconds behind Fairman now in 16th place fight)

*Lap 44* – Fangio now lapped by Gerard, meaning only 4 drivers on lead lap

(Bayol 0.3 seconds behind von Trips for 8th)

*Lap 45* – Another 2:00.4 for Gerard, but not as quick – 1 min 10 sec lead now

Collins has 45 second advantage to de Graffenried, who once again is under pressure from Landi! 1.6 second gap there now

(Bayol pulls level with von Trips, but thinks better of going for the pass – Menditeguy is catching this battle at rate of around 0.4 secs per lap, 6.2 secs gap now)

(Fairman blocked by Maglioli, which again costs Villoresi time, but brings Castellotti just 0.3 seconds down on the Emeryson for 17th)

((((Simon pits from last, poor stop, 23rd looks inevitable))))

*Lap 46* – Landi 1.1 behind de Graffenried

(Bayol blocked by von Trips – Menditeguy now just 4.2 seconds behind them!)

(Fairman back to 1.3 seconds behind Maglioli)

(Castellotti has a go at Villoresi, but is blocked)

*Lap 47* – De Graffenried lapped by Gerard, as is Landi – just 2 on lead lap now! Landi 0.4 seconds behind de Graffenried now

(Bayol takes gap to von Trips down to 1 second again)

*Lap 48* – Nothing to report, but in the pits they’re gearing up for 2nd scheduled stops

(Bayol again quicker than von Trips, 0.7 seconds behind)

((Slow lap for Brabham as Gerard laps him for 2nd time – 2.1 second gap to Maglioli now))

*Lap 49* – Still just 2 on lead lap now, though race will be taking its toll and these more experienced drivers may start to feel it in their arms soon!

(Bayol now just 0.4 seconds down on von Trips for 8th)

*Lap 50* – Gerard pits from the lead – leisurely stop, but he can afford to relax! Comes out still 40 seconds ahead of Collins, who is yet to pit! 5 cars back o

(Bonnier pits from 7th, out in 11th place – moves von Trips into 7th, Bayol 8th, Menditeguy 9th and Salvadori 19th)

(Bayol now RIGHT behind von Trips for 7th)

((Maglioli slowly pulling Brabham in for 14th place, Fairman also gaining ground behind))

*Lap 51* – Landi and Perdisa both pit, go from 4th and 5th to 4th still for Landi (but a lap down), and Perdisa out in 9th

(Landi right behind de Graffenried now, with pit-stops looming!)

(Fangio pits from 5th, out in 8th)

(That moves Perdisa into 5th, von Trips 6th and Bayol 7th)

(Bayol blocked heavily by von Trips, who is under real pressure for what has become 6th place. Menditeguy certainly gaining ground as a result!)

(Salvadori pits from 10th, out in 12th behind Bonnier and Piotti)

(Emery pits from 13th, out in 15th)

*Lap 52* – Collins pits, comes out comfortably in 2nd place

(Von Trips and Maglioli both also come in, from 6th and 14th to 11th and 16th)

(Bayol now up to 5th, Fangio 6th, Menditeguy 7th, Bonnier 8th

((Fairman and Villoresi pit from 16th and 17th to move Castellotti up to 16th – out with Villoresi 17th and Fairman 18th after slow stop from Cooper))

*Lap 53* – Landi is gaining on de Graffenried, with the Ferrari yet to pit…!

(Bayol, Menditeguy and Piotti all pit – from 5th, 7th and 10th to make order at the top; Landi 4th, Fangio 5th, Bonnier 6th as all 3 Connaughts benefit from the pit-stops! Perdisa 7th, Von Trips back up to 8th, Menditeguy 9th, Bayol out in 10th after a poor Maserati stop. Salvadori up to 11th as Piotti pits and comes out in 12th)

(Perdisa gaining on Bonnier – gap down to 1.5 seconds as they fight over what is now 6th place)

(Emery catching Brabham – but still 7.4 seconds, and Emeryson driver is under more pressure from Castellotti!)

((Fairman gaining on Villoresi by 0.2 seconds per lap – fight for 17th)

(((Hawthorn pits, drops behind Pilette to 20th place)))

*Lap 54* – De Graffenried pits from 3rd, and has double disappointment as Gerard goes past to lap him followed by Landi who puts his Connaught into a podium place!

(Bonnier quicker than Fangio at this stage in fight for final points position)

(Bayol closes up to the back of Menditeguy in fight for 9th place)

(Piotti quicker than Salvadori in fight for 11th place)

(Emery looks to have shaken off Castellotti – and is now just 7.0 secs behind Brabham)

((((Manzon pits from 21st, out ahead of Godia still))))

*Lap 55* – (Bonnier gap to Fangio is 14.4 seconds, and gaining quickly)

(Bayol blocked by Menditeguy in fight for 9th)

*Lap 56* – (De Graffenried has even bigger problems, looks tired and only 10 seconds ahead of Fangio now – who in turn has Bonnier gaining ground)

(Bayol slowly gaining on Menditeguy for 9th place)

(Piotti catching Salvadori for 11th – gap now 9.4 seconds)

((Emery now just 6 seconds behind Brabham))

((Castellotti pits from 15th, comes out in 18th place))

((Fairman just 1.6 secs behind Villoresi in fight for 16th place now))

((((Manzon crashes as he comes through Woodcote, but has luck that Godia pits and gives him some breathing space with his ailing car))))

*Lap 57* – (9.2 seconds is gap between de Graffenried and Fangio)

(13.1 seconds between Fangio and Bonnier)

((Emery 5.2 seconds behind Brabham and catching quickly!))

((Fairman pulls right up to back of Villoresi in fight for 16th))

(((Pilette pits from 19th, comes out in 20th behind team-mate Hawthorn)))

((((Godia gaining some 11 seconds a lap on Manzon! 56 second gap will come down quickly at that rate…))))

*Lap 58* – (Fangio down to 8.7 seconds behind de Graffenried – 12.2 seconds gap back from Bonnier to Fangio also)

(Piotti now just 7.7 secs behind Salvadori and gaining quickly)

((Brabham pits, drops from 13th to 14th as Emery inherits that place))

((Fairman blocked by Villoresi for 16th place – Castellotti now right behind this fight!))

*Lap 59* – (De Graffenried – Fangio 7.7 secs, then 11.5 secs back to Bonnier. Perdisa also only a couple of seconds back too!)

(Salvadori responds to Piotti’s pace – Vanwall still slower but only by a couple of tenths)

((Villoresi – Fairman – Castellotti all line astern in fight for 16th place!))

*Lap 60* – (De Graffenried – Fangio 7.2 secs, then 10.5 secs back to Bonnier)

((Villoresi costing both Fairman and Castellotti time as he blocks them))

*Lap 61* – (De Graffenried – Fangio 6.3 secs, then 9.8 secs back to Bonnier)

(Piotti back to grabbing time from Salvadori and now 6.5 secs down)

((Villoresi really struggling, under constant pressure from those behind him now!))

(((((Manzon now only 25 secs ahead of Godia, who is still gaining about 11-12 secs per lap!)))))

*Lap 62* – (De Graffenried – Fangio 5.6 secs, then 9.3 secs back to Bonnier)

*Lap 63* – (De Graffenried – Fangio 4.8 secs, then 8.9 secs back to Bonnier)

(Piotti 4.9 secs behind Salvadori)

(((((Manzon passed by Godia, as the Cooper stubbornly stays out despite his severely damaged car!)))))

*Lap 64* – (De Graffenried – Fangio 4.3 secs, then 8.0 secs back to Bonnier)

((Fairman catches Villoresi, but once again is thwarted by an aggressive defensive swipe by the Emeryson – Castellotti also delayed as he tries to go round the outside))

*Lap 65* – (De Graffenried – Fangio 3.7 secs, then 6.9 secs back to Bonnier)

(Bayol 2.1 secs down on Menditeguy as he takes 0.6 seconds out of the Ferrari this lap)

(Piotti 3.6 secs down on Salvadori)

*Lap 66* – (De Graffenried – Fangio 3.1 secs, then 6.3 secs back to Bonnier)

(Bayol now 1.8 secs down on Menditeguy)

(Piotti 2.6 secs down on Salvadori)

((Fairman and Castellotti AGAIN blocked by Villoresi))

*Lap 67* – (De Graffenried – Fangio 2.2 secs, then 5.4 secs back to Bonnier)

((((((Simon pits from the back – was gaining on Manzon by 8 seconds per lap!))))))

*Lap 68* – (De Graffenried – Fangio 1.2 secs now! Still 4.6 secs back to Bonnier)

(Piotti 1.5 secs behind Salvadori)

*Lap 69* – (Fangio pulls to within 0.3 secs behind de Graffenried – Bonnier solid 4.1 secs behind, but surely will gain quickly once they start to fight each other! Perdisa is a further 5.2 secs back, and could gain on them too!)

(Bayol 1.4 secs behind Menditeguy)

(Piotti 1.1 behind Salvadori)

((Fairman blocked AGAIN by Villoresi – Castellotti back pressuring him!))

*Lap 70* – (Fangio blocked by de Graffenried – catching 1 thing, passing another! Bonnier now just 1.3 secs behind Fangio. Perdisa 5 secs back.)

(Piotti 0.7 behind Salvadori)

*Lap 71* – (De Graffenried will now have 2 Connaughts pressuring him as just 1.4 seconds separates all 3 drivers!)

(Piotti pulls level with Salvadori across the line, but he’s on the outside for 1st turn so likely wont pass)

((Villoresi moving chicane at the moment for those chasing him!!!))

*Lap 72* – Landi is gaining on Collins, but still around 1 minute behind and only gaining 0.5 secs per lap!

(Fangio pulls right onto the back of de Graffenried, with Bonnier also right behind him too – all 3 separated by just

(Piotti blocked by Salvadori and falls right back – needs to attack once more!)

*Lap 73* – (Fangio blocked by de Graffenried, Bonnier seizes the opportunity to slip up the inside and claims 5th place and a points position! Perdisa pulls to within 3 seconds of this group now)

*Lap 74* – (Bonnier straight onto offensive against de Graffenried, as Fangio already struggling to keep with the pace as he slides wide and now has Perdisa pressuring him, who he’s forced to block!)

(Menditeguy has a slow lap – Bayol now 1.7 secs behind him, but could just have been a poor braking zone for the Ferrari)

(((Villoresi gaining on Maglioli by 0.5 seconds – gap now under 6 seconds for 15th place)))

(((Fairman right behind Villoresi, with Castellotti hounding the Cooper as well!)))

*Lap 75* – Gerard pits, comfortable stop – back out in the lead

(Bonnier blocked by de Graffenried again in fight for 4th)

(Perdisa pulls up to the back of Fangio this lap)

(((Fairman and Castellotti blocked by Villoresi, who is still slowly catching Maglioli)))

*Lap 76* – (Bonnier pits from 5th, needs to get hammer down now – comes out in 9th place right behind Menditeguy though! Disaster for the Connaught!)

(Perdisa right on back of Fangio now for what has become 5th place battle)

((Piotti right on the back of Salvadori again in fight for 11th))

((((((Simon now just 50 seconds behind Manzon and gaining at 7 secs per lap on damaged Cooper!))))))

*Lap 77* – Collins pits from 2nd place, might have had issues but Landi also pits from 3rd

(Fangio pits from 5th to move Perdisa into the points and right behind de Graffenried!)

(Von Trips pits from 7th and comes out in 10th, means that Menditeguy is 6th, Fangio out in 7th just ahead of Bonnier!)

(Bonnier was blocked by Menditeguy in the fight for 6th, Bayol closes up to all 3 of them!)

((Salvadori pits from 11th, frees up Piotti to move into 11th whilst the Vanwall comes out in 12th))

((Emery pits from 13th, comes out in same position))

(((Fairman and Castellotti blocked once again by Villoresi)))

*Lap 78* – (De Graffenried briefly occupies 3rd place, after Landi’s stop – though the Ferrari is yet to stop)

(Perdisa and Menditeguy both stop this time around, means that Fangio 5th, Bonnier 6th, Bayol 7th, Perdisa out in 8th, von Trips up to 9th, Piotti 10th, Menditeguy out in 11th)

(Bonnier and Bayol both blocked by Fangio as they fight over 5th place)

((Maglioli pits to move Castellotti into 15th – the Emeryson comes out in 16th place))

(((Villoresi and Fairman both pit, slow stop for the Cooper who now has some catching up to do – could this play into Castellotti’s hands? He’s now into 16th place)))

*Lap 79* – (Landi gaining on de Graffenried for 3rd)

(Bayol pits, drops from 7th to 10th, which puts Perdisa 7th, von Trips 8th and Menditeguy 9th)

(Piotti stops, drops from 10th to 11th)

*Lap 80* – (Landi just 0.5 secs down on yet to stop de Graffenried)

(Fangio looks far more evenly matched to Bonnier now, though the latter is still quicker)

(((((Hawthorn pits, drops to 20th behind Pilette)))))

*Lap 81* – (Landi loses time trying to pass de Graffenried – doesn’t need to, as the Ferrari will surely need to pit soon)

(Fangio blocks both Bonnier and Perdisa here – could this play into de Graffenried’s hands when the Ferrari does come in???)

(((Fairman gaining on Villoresi again – gap is 4.3 secs, and Cooper catching at rate of 1.5 secs per lap)))

*Lap 82* – (De Graffenried pits from 3rd, moves Landi up to podium place – and brings the Ferrari out in 4th place, so unlucky for Bonnier who could have easily claimed that place were it not for Menditeguy and Fangio respectively blocking him!)

(((Fairman now just 3.8 secs down on Villoresi)))

*Lap 83* – (Fangio right behind de Graffenried now, with Bonnier also in close attendance)

(((Fairman now 2.3 secs down on Villoresi)))

*Lap 84* – (As happened previously, Fangio challenges de Graffenried – tries to go the long way round, and Bonnier seizes the moment to move past him team-mate and back into 5th place! Perdisa back to 1 second behind that group.)

(((Castellotti finally comes in from 15th place – out in 16th place ahead of both Villoresi and Fairman! 6.8 secs down on Maglioli and going more quickly)))

((((((Godia pits, comes out in 21st still))))))

(((((((((Simon now just 10 seconds behind Manzon!)))))))))

*Lap 85* – Gerard’s pace could see him lap Collins in 2nd, as the Vanwall looks to have totally switched off!

(De Graffenried blocks Bonnier, Fangio and Perdisa – von Trips now just 6.4 secs behind that group!)

(((Fairman less than 1 second behind Villoresi now)))

*Lap 86* – (Bonnier back to 0.4 secs down on de Graffenried – meanwhile Fangio blocks Perdisa and von Trips is 5.1 secs behind)

((Brabham finally stops – remains in 14th place))

(((Fairman blocked by Villoresi for 17th place)))

(((((Pilette pits from 19th, comes out behind Hawthorn in 20th – but now just 8 seconds down)))))

((((((((((Simon passes the ailing Manzon for 22nd place))))))))))

*Lap 87* – (Bonnier blocked by de Graffenried – Fangio now very close to them)

*Lap 88* – (De Graffenried triggers a whole series of events, as he moves over to block off Bonnier’s attack – Fangio is forced to break hard behind his team-mate, and Perdisa pounces to move up to 6th place! Von Trips now just 3.8 seconds back)

(((Castellotti less than 5 secs down on Maglioli for 15th place)))

*Lap 89* – Collins a couple of laps away from being lapped by incredible Gerard

(Bonnier pulls up to the back of de Graffenried – possibly now wary of Perdisa threat behind him!)

(Von Trips catching Fangio, who is struggling with the pace – 2.8 seconds gap now)

(((Fairman blocked by Villoresi again)))

((((((((((Manzon finally pits to mend his damage – can now set off to close down Simon once more!))))))))))

*Lap 90* – Gerard does lap Collins – utterly sublime from the Maserati!

(Bonnier blocked again by de Graffenried, with Perdisa also losing time – but now just 0.3 secs down on the Connaught, with Fangio also back in the mix)

*Lap 91* – (De Graffenried has caused nightmares for Connaught today, and he blocks Bonnier again – and we see Perdisa jump on the opportunity to move up to 5th place!)

(Fangio and von Trips both get blocked here too)

(((Castellotti now 1.9 secs down on Maglioli)))

(((Fairman right on the back of Villoresi for 17th)))

*Lap 92* – (Perdisa now 0.4 secs down on de Graffenried for 4th)

(Von Trips now 1.4 secs behind Fangio for 7th)

(((Fairman blocked by Villoresi again)))

(((((((((Simon pits, means Manzon now just 4 seconds behind him!)))))))))

*Lap 93* – (De Graffenried blocks both Perdisa and Bonnier again)

(Von Trips just 0.5 secs down on Fangio for 7th)

((Bayol 6.7 secs down on Menditeguy and gaining ground in 9th placed battle))

(((Castellotti down to 0.8 secs down on Maglioli)))

*Lap 94* – (((Castellotti blocked by Maglioli for 15th)))

(((Fairman blocked by Villoresi for 17th)))

*Lap 95* – (Perdisa blocked by de Graffenried, who in turns blocks everyone back down to von Trips in 8th place! Menditeguy in 9th too far back to benefit)

((Salvadori makes a real error, as he runs wide at Copse and is now in trouble – losing 5 secs per lap to Emery, but has a 1 minute advantage))

(((Castellotti blocked by Maglioli again)))

(((Fairman right on the back of Villoresi and looking threatening)))

(((((((((((Manzon blocked by Simon in fight for 21st place)))))))))))

*Lap 96* – (De Graffenried is causing problems for Perdisa, as every attempt moves Bonnier closer and closer to having a real go at the Maserati!)

(((Castellotti blocked by Maglioli once more!)))

(((Fairman unable to force a way past Villoresi, as he gets blocked again!)))

(((((((((((Manzon passes Simon for 21st))))))))))

*Lap 97* – (Bonnier has a go at Perdisa, but without de Graffenried causing him issues the Maserati is able to defend comfortably)

((Von Trips blocked again by Fangio, as both lapped by Gerard here))

*Lap 98* – (Everyone up to 3rd placed Landi now been lapped twice by Gerard)

(((Castellotti blocked again by Maglioli in fight for 15th)))

((((((Pilette just 1.2 secs behind Hawthorn in fight for 19th))))))

*Lap 99* – (((Castellotti blocked yet again by Maglioli)))

(((Fairman also blocked by Villoresi once more)))

*Lap 100* – ((Perdisa and Bonnier both blocked by the immovable de Graffenried))

*Lap 101* – Gerard takes the race victory – peerless performance, now surely marching on to the championship title!!!

((De Graffenried slowing up everyone back to von Trips once more! He’s at least given the fans some entertainment here with his incredible defensive driving!!!))

(((((((Pilette blocked by Hawthorn)))))))

*1 LAP DOWN* – (Collins comes home 2nd, Landi a solid podium for Connaught)

((AGAIN de Graffenried is hanging on by the skin of his teeth against the train behind him!))

(((Castellotti again blocked by Maglioli for 15th place)))

((((Fairman once more blocked by Villoresi))))

*2 LAPS DOWN* – ((De Graffenried claims a hard-fought 4th place with Perdisa rounding out points finishers in 5th, Bonnier devastatingly unlucky to be 6th, whilst Fangio sees off 1 final attack from von Trips to take 7th ahead of the German))

((Menditeguy one crucial moment of blocking Bonnier while out of sync in pit-stops is only real contribution as he comes home 9th, with Bayol rounding out the top 10. Piotti a lonely 11th place))

*3 LAPS DOWN* – (((Despite Salvadori’s damaged car he does get home in 12th, some 20 seconds ahead of 13th placed Emery – career best for the Emeryson)))

(((Brabham another lonely day in 14th place)))

*4 LAPS DOWN* – ((((Maglioli comes home 15th after staving off 1 final charge from Castellotti – who could have had so much more today! Villoresi and Fairman home in 17th and 18th places))))

*5 LAPS DOWN* – (((((((Pilette blocked by Hawthorn)))))))

*6 LAPS DOWN* – ((((((Pilette blocked once more by Hawthorn, as the seasoned campaigner takes 19th ahead of Gordini team-mate 20th – not had 2 Gordinis in top 20 since Monaco GP))))))

*7 LAPS DOWN* – Looking at title places now Gerard has an 11 point lead over Collins – situation is now that Collins needs to win both last races and take FL in them with Gerard getting 2 x 0 points for the Maserati not to win the championship. Landi pressuring de Graffenried for 3rd in the championship. Perdisa up to 6th in the championship, looking good to surpass Villoresi’s points total next time out and move inside top 5. Bonnier up to 12th ahead of Menditeguy thanks to countback of 8th places

*8 LAPS DOWN* – ((((((((Godia comes home 21st – just Manzon and Simon to finish, though won’t be any change in that order so bid farewell. Next race in Germany.)))))))

## Race Setups

**How close setups were to perfect**

* 0.0008688 Luigi Piotti
* 0.0039696 Joakim Bonnier
* 0.005066 Bob Gerard
* 0.009204 Carlos Menditeguy
* 0.01084 Toulo De Graffenried
* 0.0134115 Wolfgang von Trips
* 0.0254 Jack Brabham
* 0.045632 Cesare Perdisa
* 0.068156 Elie Bayol
* 0.0975264 Jack Fairman
* 0.11481888 Peter Collins
* 0.117408 Eugenio Castellotti
* 0.2472832 JM Fangio
* 0.2582792 chico landi
* 0.72118336 Paul Emery
* 1.0385 Luigi Villoresi
* 1.0385 Umberto Maglioli
* 1.8139208 Roy Salvadori
* 2.24 Robert Manzon
* 2.9204608 Andre Pilette
* 3.8214016 Paco Godia
* 4.78814904 Mike Hawthorn
* 8.055616 André Simon

## Milestones

* 30th race entry for Piero Taruffi
* 10th race entry for Luigi Piotti
* Collins and Hawthorn up to 4th & 5th in most race entries ever, at expense of Ascari
* Fangio into top 10 most race entries ever at expense of Paul Pietsch
* 30th race start for Mike Hawthorn
* 10th race start for Luigi Piotti
* Hawthorn up to 5th most race starts (passes Ascari)
* Salvadori up to 8th most race starts ever (passes Claes & Whitehead)
* Hawthorn now the driver with the most races without a win!
* In most races without points Castellotti and Simon move ahead of Parnell into 7th and 8th respectively
* Gerard moves up to 200 career points!!!
* Collins reaches 50 career points!
* Points finish for Collins moves him into 7th on all-time list, ahead of Moss
* Podium for Landi sees him move up to 5th on Most Points Without a Win
* Collins moves into 8th overall for most consecutive points scores ever, Gerard moves into 9th
* Pietsch won twice in UK (’50 and ’53), Cabantous won once (’51) and Wharton won once (’55) – now all retired, Bayol won once (’52), Gerard won once (’54)
* FL at UK in ’51 was Cabantous, ’53 and ’54 was Whitehead, ’55 was Wharton – all now retired, ’50 was Farina, ’52 was Bayol
* Pole at UK in ’50 and ’51 was Cabantous, ’52 was Pietsch, ’53 was Whitehead ’54 was Lang, ’55 was Wharton – all now retired
* Podium for Collins is his 4th in a row, puts him into 4th place in longest streaks ever