Sunday 22nd January 1956

The story of Luigi Musso’s first Grand Prix victory is a curious one. Taking an early lead in the 1956 Argentine Grand Prix, he fell back behind Oscar Gonzalez, Carlos Menditeguy, Stirling Moss and Eugenio Castellotti. Meanwhile Ferrari team-leader Juan Manel Fangio encountered mechanical problems and was forced to retire on lap 23. In those days the rules allowed drivers to switch to another car during the race and so Musso was ordered to the Ferrari pit to hand over his car to Fangio. And the maestro put in one of his startling drives closing in on Moss’ Maserati which was trailing oil. After two-thirds of the distance Fangio overtook the Brit and, despite a quick spin, took the win for himself and, of course, for the delighted debut winner Luigi Musso. The two drivers shared the 8 points!