This is a
short blog on the opening of a new track at the Autodromo di Monza in 1955.
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| Present day north banking |
Italy’s new
high-speed circuit at Monza was designed not only for future Italian Grand
Prix, but for testing, record-breaking and endurance running. With this in mind
the circuit was little more than an oval speed bowl, with two equal length
straights at either side and two equal radii banked curves at either end. It
was intended that the new high-speed track could be combined with the old ‘road
course’ to create a circuit with a lap distance of 6.24 miles.
Connection
between old and new tracks was to be through a tunnel under the banking
adjacent to the Serraglio Curve. The main straight in front of the grandstands
was divided down the middle, so that competitors would race parallel to each
other and in the same direction, but be on two different tracks.
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| Exit of 'road course' from tunnel beneath banking |
The
combination of the banked high-speed track and the corners of the ‘road course’
was a searching test of cars and drivers. Mercedes took the opportunity of
experimenting with hydraulically operated air-brakes on their aerodynamic GP cars.
The brake was similar to that used on the 300SLR at Le Mans, but it does not
blend into the rear of the body as on the sports car. When out of use it rested
on top of the rear wings and stream-lined head-rest, offering minimal
wind-resistance.
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| GP Mercedes with 'air-brake' deployed |
The plan to
run the Italian Grand Prix in September 1955 came under urgent discussion the
week before the event, as there had been numerous complaints from drivers over
the safety of the proposed track. There were also concerns over the dazzling
effect on drivers of the low sunshine reflected off the concrete banked track.
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| The leading four Mercedes early in the race |
The race
however did go ahead, with Mercedes finishing in a safe first and second
position. The race was not without controversy, Taruffi getting the
‘naughty-naughty’ sign from team manager Neubauer as he attempted to pass
Fangio in front of the pits on the final lap. The retirement of both Vanwalls
was a disappointment, as they had earlier posted good practice times. They had
suffered from the bumpy concrete surface of the banking, which along with the
higher rate springs that had been fitted, caused the De Dion tube to break on
both cars. Farina was very lucky indeed when a tyre burst on his Lancia during
practice, as the car turned over twice. Following this incident the Lancia’s
were withdrawn from the race.
