1956 Argentine Grand Prix

Infobox Grand Prix race report
Type = F1
Country = Argentina
Grand Prix = Argentine
Official name = IV GRAN PREMIO DE LA REPUBLICA ARGENTINA
Date = 22 January
Year = 1956
Race_No = 1
Season_No = 8
Location = Autódromo Oscar Alfredo Gálvez, Buenos Aires
Course = Permanent racing facility
Course_mi = 2.431
Course_km = 3.912
Distance_laps = 98
Distance_mi = 238.219
Distance_km = 383.376
Weather = Overcast but dry
Pole_Driver = Juan Manuel Fangio
Pole_Team = Ferrari
Pole_Time = 1:42.5
Pole_Country = Argentina
Fast_Driver = Juan Manuel Fangio
Fast_Team = Ferrari
Fast_Time = 1:45.3
Fast_L

Fast_Country = Argentina
First_Driver = Luigi Musso

First_Team = Ferrari
First_Country = Italy
Second_Driver = Jean Behra
Second_Team = Maserati
Second_Country= France
Third_Driver = Mike Hawthorn
Third_Team = Maserati
Third_Country = United Kingdom

The 1956 Argentine Grand Prix was a Formula One race held on 22 January 1956 at Buenos Aires.

With the withdrawal of Mercedes from Formula One, Fangio and Moss would begin the season with new teams. Fangio would join Ferrari while Moss would lead the Maserati team. The grid at Argentina was completely composed of Italian cars. Ferrari and Maserati showed up with five cars each. The other three cars were Maseratis: two private entries and Hawthorn for the B.R.M. team.

Ferrari dominated practice and occupied the first three grid positions with Fangio’s pole time 2.2 sec faster than second. However, Maserati dominated the early race with Menditeguy and Moss leading the field. Fangio was a non factor with a faulty fuel pump. He took over Musso’s car on lap 29 and re-entered in fifth place. Fangio quickly passed Behra but lost his position after spinning. From laps 40-43 disaster struck the leaders. While third Castellotti’s gearbox broke, Menditguy left the lead with a broken driveshaft, and new leader Moss’ engine began to smoke. Fangio, who had gotten by Behra, passed the ailing Moss on lap 66 and finished unchallenged after Behra spun late. The race was not without controversy when the Maserati team manager lodged a protest that Fangio was push-started after the earlier spin. However, the protest was rejected by both the stewards and the F.I.A.

Classification

Notes

* Pole position: Juan Manuel Fangio - 1:42.5
* Fastest L
Juan Manuel Fangio - 1:45.3
* Lap Leaders:
** José Froilán González 3 laps (1-3)
** Carlos Menditeguy 39 laps (4-42) (first career laps led)
** Stirling Moss 24 laps (43-66)
** Juan Manuel Fangio 32 laps (67-98)
* Shared Drives:
** Car #34: Luigi Musso (30 laps) and Juan Manuel Fangio (68 laps). They shared the 8 points for first place.
** Car #10: Chico Landi (46 laps) and Gerino Gerini (46 laps). They shared the 3 points for fourth place.
** Car #16: Alberto Uria (44 laps) and Oscar Gonzalez (44 laps).
* Grand Prix debut for: Olivier Gendebien and Gerino Gerini. Only Grand Prix appearance for Oscar González.
* Last Grand Prix appearance for: Chico Landi and Alberto Uria.
* Career Firsts: Luigi Musso (win); Olivier Gendebien, Gerino Gerini, and Chico Landi (points).

F1 race report
Name_of_race = Argentine Grand Prix
Year_of_race = 1956
Previous_race_in_season = 1955 Italian Grand Prix
Next_race_in_season = 1956 Monaco Grand Prix
Previous_year's_race = 1955 Argentine Grand Prix
Next_year's_race = 1957 Argentine Grand Prix