1958 Formula One season

The 1958 Formula One season was the 12th season of Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1958 World Championship of Drivers[1] which commenced on 19 January 1958, and ended on 19 October after eleven races. This was the first Formula One season in which a Manufacturers title was awarded, the International Cup for F1 Manufacturers[2] being contested concurrently with the World Championship of Drivers with the exception of the Indianapolis 500 which did not count towards the Cup. Englishman Mike Hawthorn won the Drivers' title after a close battle with compatriot Stirling Moss and Vanwall won the inaugural Manufacturers award from Ferrari. Hawthorn retired from racing at the end of the season, only to die three months later after a road car accident. It was the first of only two occasions in Formula One history where a driver won the championship having won only one race in the season, the other being Keke Rosberg in 1982.

1958 Formula One season
Drivers' Champion: Mike Hawthorn
International Cup winner: Vanwall
Previous: 1957 Next: 1959

The season was one of the most important and tragic seasons in Formula One's history. Four drivers died in four different races during this season. Italian Luigi Musso in his works Ferrari during the French Grand Prix at Reims; Musso's teammate, Englishman Peter Collins during the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, Englishman Stuart Lewis-Evans in his Vanwall at the Moroccan Grand Prix in Casablanca, and in a non-Formula One regulated race, American Pat O'Connor at the Indianapolis 500. Hawthorn retired from motor racing after his success, but was killed in a road accident only a few months later. This season was also effectively the last ever year of Grand Prix racing where the field was dominated with front engined-cars; this had been the case since the early 1900s, when car racing was happening in informal events across Europe and the United States. 1959 and 1960 would be transitional years, where grids at Grand Prix events would feature more and more mid-engined cars and fewer front-engined cars. The mid-engined cars, with their better road holding, increased driving comfort, lighter weight and ease on tires and mechanical components (particularly brakes) were clearly the way to go. Even an old-fashioned traditionalist like Enzo Ferrari had to concede that mid-engined cars were what his team needed in order to be competitive- and Ferrari did not have a race-ready mid-engined car until 1961.

Season summary

Mike Hawthorn won the 1958 World Championship of Drivers, driving a Ferrari 246 F1
Stirling Moss placed second
Vanwall won the International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers
Ferrari placed second with the Ferrari 246 F1

Although the engine formula remained the same, maximum race lengths were reduced to 300 kilometres or two hours (whichever came first), and the use of commercial petrol became compulsory, in place of specialized alcohol-based racing fuels.[3] The International Cup for F1 Manufacturers was awarded for the first time, but Ferrari's Mike Hawthorn won the Drivers' Championship from Stirling Moss, despite the latter having won four of the ten grand prix to Hawthorn's one.

Rear-engined Cooper-Climaxes, entered by the private owner Rob Walker, won two early-season races, through Moss and Maurice Trintignant.

Following the Portuguese Grand Prix, Hawthorn faced a penalty but Moss sportingly spoke up for him, and the points that Hawthorn was able to keep, subsequently enabled him to edge ahead of Moss for the title.[4]

Moss's teammate at Vanwall, Tony Brooks also won three races, his success in the Italian race, overtaking Hawthorn after Moss had retired, ensured the title went to the final round in Morocco. Moss needed to win, with a fastest lap and Hawthorn third or lower to win the title. With Moss leading, Brooks and teammate Stuart Lewis-Evans attempted to hold Hawthorn in third, however both their engines failed – Lewis-Evans's tragically resulting in severe burns from which he did not recover. Hawthorn finished second to win his first title by a single point. Vanwall won the inaugural Constructors' competition.

Hawthorn's death early in 1959 compounded a tragic season for Formula One, with four drivers killed or fatally injured on the track. Luigi Musso died in the French Grand Prix, Peter Collins a month later in the German Grand Prix – just two weeks after winning his home race, Lewis-Evans died in hospital following his fire in Morocco and Pat O'Connor died at the Indianapolis 500 (which, at the time, was a round of the World Championship).

Maria Teresa de Filippis became the first woman to drive in a race counting towards the World Championship of Drivers. Reigning five-time Champion Juan Manuel Fangio, the dominant driver of the 1950s and one of the greatest of all time, competed in only two races as a privateer, retiring after the French Grand Prix.

Season review

Rnd Race Circuit Date Pole position Fastest lap Winning driver Constructor Tyre Report
1 Argentine Grand Prix Buenos Aires 19 January Juan Manuel Fangio Juan Manuel Fangio Stirling Moss Cooper-Climax C Report
2 Monaco Grand Prix Monaco 18 May Tony Brooks Mike Hawthorn Maurice Trintignant Cooper-Climax D Report
3 Dutch Grand Prix Zandvoort 26 May Stuart Lewis-Evans Stirling Moss Stirling Moss Vanwall D Report
4 Indianapolis 500A Indianapolis 30 May Dick Rathmann Tony Bettenhausen Jimmy Bryan Epperly-Offenhauser F Report
5 Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps 15 June Mike Hawthorn Mike Hawthorn Tony Brooks Vanwall D Report
6 French Grand Prix Reims 6 July Mike Hawthorn Mike Hawthorn Mike Hawthorn Ferrari E Report
7 British Grand Prix Silverstone 19 July Stirling Moss Mike Hawthorn Peter Collins Ferrari E Report
8 German Grand Prix Nürburgring 3 August Mike Hawthorn Stirling Moss Tony Brooks Vanwall D Report
9 Portuguese Grand Prix Boavista 24 August Stirling Moss Mike Hawthorn Stirling Moss Vanwall D Report
10 Italian Grand Prix Monza 7 September Stirling Moss Phil Hill Tony Brooks Vanwall D Report
11 Moroccan Grand Prix Ain-Diab 19 October Mike Hawthorn Stirling Moss Stirling Moss Vanwall D Report
^A The Indianapolis 500 also counted towards the 1958 USAC Championship, and was run for USAC Championship cars, but did not count towards the International Cup for F1 Manufacturers.

Teams and drivers

The following teams and drivers competed in the 1958 FIA World Championship.

Entrant Constructor Chassis Engine Tyre Driver Rounds
Scuderia Sud Americana Maserati 250F Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 P Juan Manuel Fangio 1
Carlos Menditeguy 1
Ken Kavanagh Maserati 250F Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 P Jean Behra 1
Luigi Taramazzo 2
Ken Kavanagh 2, 5
Jo Bonnier Maserati 250F Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 P Harry Schell 1
Jo Bonnier 2–3, 5, 7, 9
Phil Hill 6
Giulio Cabianca 10
Hans Herrmann 10–11
Francesco Godia Sales Maserati 250F Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 P Paco Godia 1–2, 5–6
H.H. Gould Maserati 250F Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 D Horace Gould 1–3
Masten Gregory 3
R.R.C. Walker Racing Team Cooper-Climax T43
T45
Climax FPF 2.0 L4 C
D
Stirling Moss 1
Maurice Trintignant 2–3, 7–11
Ron Flockhart 2
T43 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D François Picard 11
Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari 246 Ferrari 143 2.4 V6 E Luigi Musso 1–3, 5–6
Peter Collins 1–3, 5–8
Mike Hawthorn 1–3, 5–11
Wolfgang von Trips 2, 6–10
Olivier Gendebien 5, 10–11
Phil Hill 10–11
156 Ferrari D156 1.5 V6 E Phil Hill 8
Owen Racing Organisation BRM P25 BRM P25 2.5 L4 D Jean Behra 2–3, 5–11
Harry Schell 2–3, 5–11
Maurice Trintignant 6
Jo Bonnier 10–11
Ron Flockhart 11
Bernie C. Ecclestone Connaught-Alta B Alta GP 2.5 L4 A Bernie Ecclestone 2, 7
Bruce Kessler 2
Paul Emery 2
Jack Fairman 7
Ivor Bueb 7
Cooper Car Company Cooper-Climax T45
T44
Climax FPF 2.0 L4 D Jack Brabham 2–3, 5–7, 9–10
Roy Salvadori 2–3, 5–11
Ian Burgess 7
Jack Fairman 11
T45 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D Bruce McLaren 8, 11
Jack Brabham 8, 11
Team Lotus Lotus-Climax 12
16
Climax FPF 2.0 L4
Climax FPF 2.2 L4
D Cliff Allison 2–3, 5–8, 10–11
Graham Hill 2–3, 5–7, 9–11
Alan Stacey 7
16 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D Graham Hill 8
Vandervell Products Vanwall VW 5 Vanwall 254 2.5 L4 D Stirling Moss 2–3, 5–11
Tony Brooks 2–3, 5–11
Stuart Lewis-Evans 2–3, 5–7, 9–11
Maria Teresa de Filippis Maserati 250F Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 P Maria Teresa de Filippis 2, 5, 10
Giorgio Scarlatti Maserati 250F Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 P Giorgio Scarlatti 2–3
Jo Bonnier 6
Scuderia Centro Sud Maserati 250F Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 P Gerino Gerini 2, 6–7, 10–11
Maurice Trintignant 5
Masten Gregory 5
Wolfgang Seidel 5, 11
Carroll Shelby 6–7, 10
Troy Ruttman 6, 8
Jo Bonnier 8
Hans Herrmann 8
Cliff Allison 9
Maria Teresa de Filippis 9
Cooper-Climax T43 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D Wolfgang Seidel 8
OSCA Automobili OSCA F2 OSCA 372 1.5 L4 P Giulio Cabianca 2
Luigi Piotti 2
André Testut Maserati 250F Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 P André Testut 2
Louis Chiron 2
Ecurie Maarsbergen Porsche RSK Porsche 547/3 1.5 F4 D Carel Godin de Beaufort 3
RS550 Porsche 547/3 1.5 F4 D Carel Godin de Beaufort 8
Juan Manuel Fangio Maserati 250F Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 P Juan Manuel Fangio 6
Dick Gibson Cooper-Climax T43 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D Dick Gibson 8
Dr Ing F. Porsche KG Porsche RSK Porsche 547/3 1.5 F4 ? Edgar Barth 8
High Efficiency Motors Cooper-Climax T43 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D Ian Burgess 8
Ecurie Eperon d'Or Cooper-Climax T43 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D Christian Goethals 8
Ecurie Demi Litre Lotus-Climax 12 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D Ivor Bueb 8
J.B. Naylor Cooper-Climax T45 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D Brian Naylor 8
Tony Marsh Cooper-Climax T45 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D Tony Marsh 8
Temple Buell Maserati 250F Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 P Carroll Shelby 9–10
Masten Gregory 10–11
André Guelfi Cooper-Climax T45 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D André Guelfi 11
British Racing Partnership Cooper-Climax T45 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D Tom Bridger 11
Robert La Caze Cooper-Climax T45 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D Robert La Caze 11
  • The above list does not include drivers who only contested the Indianapolis 500.
  • Pink background denotes Formula Two cars at the German and Moroccan Grands Prix

1958 World Championship of Drivers – final standings

Points were awarded on an 8–6–4–3–2 basis to the first five finishers at each race. An additional point was awarded to the driver setting the fastest race lap. The best six results from the eleven races were retained.

Pos. Driver ARG
MON
NED
500
BEL
FRA
GBR
GER
POR
ITA
MOR
Pts.[5]
1 Mike Hawthorn (3) (Ret) (5) 2 1 2 Ret 2 2 2 42 (49)
2 Stirling Moss 1 Ret 1 Ret 2 Ret Ret 1 Ret 1 41
3 Tony Brooks Ret Ret 1 Ret 7 1 Ret 1 Ret 24
4 Roy Salvadori Ret 4 8 11 3 2 9 5 7 15
5 Peter Collins Ret 3 Ret Ret 5 1 Ret 14
= Harry Schell 6 5 2 5 Ret 5 Ret 6 Ret 5 14
7 Maurice Trintignant 1 9 7 Ret 8 3 8 Ret Ret 12
= Luigi Musso 2 2 7 Ret Ret 12
9 Stuart Lewis-Evans Ret Ret 3 Ret 4 3 Ret Ret 11
10 Phil Hill 7 91 3 3 9
= Jean Behra 5 Ret 3 Ret Ret Ret Ret 4 Ret Ret 9
= Wolfgang von Trips Ret 3 Ret 4 5 Ret 9
13 Jimmy Bryan 1 8
14 Juan Manuel Fangio 4 DNQ 4 7
15 George Amick 2 6
16 Johnny Boyd 3 4
= Tony Bettenhausen 4 4
18 Jack Brabham 4 8 Ret 6 6 Ret1 7 Ret 111 3
= Cliff Allison 6 6 4 Ret Ret 10 Ret 7 10 3
= Jo Bonnier Ret 10 9 8 Ret Ret Ret Ret 4 3
21 Jim Rathmann 5 2
Masten Gregory Ret Ret 4~ 6 0
Graham Hill Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret1 Ret 6 16 0
Olivier Gendebien 6 Ret Ret 0
Jimmy Reece 6 0
Don Freeland 7 0
Carlos Menditeguy 7 0
Maria Teresa de Filippis DNQ 10 Ret Ret 0
Paco Godia 8 DNQ Ret Ret 0
Jack Fairman Ret 8 0
Jud Larson 8 0
Carroll Shelby Ret 9 Ret 4~ /
Ret
0
Hans Herrmann Ret Ret 9 0
Gerino Gerini DNQ 9 Ret Ret 12 0
Giulio Cabianca DNQ Ret 0
Horace Gould 9 DNQ DNS 0
Eddie Johnson 9 0
Troy Ruttman 10 DNS 0
Bill Cheesbourg 10 0
Carel Godin de Beaufort 11 Ret1 0
Al Keller 11 0
Giorgio Scarlatti Ret Ret 0
Ian Burgess Ret 71 0
Johnnie Parsons 12 0
Ivor Bueb Ret 111 0
Johnnie Tolan 13 0
Bob Christie Ret 0
Wolfgang Seidel Ret Ret1 Ret 0
Dempsey Wilson Ret 0
Ron Flockhart DNQ Ret 0
A. J. Foyt Ret 0
Paul Russo Ret 0
Shorty Templeman Ret 0
Rodger Ward Ret 0
Billy Garrett Ret 0
Eddie Sachs Ret 0
Johnny Thomson Ret 0
Chuck Weyant Ret 0
Jack Turner Ret 0
Bob Veith Ret 0
Dick Rathmann Ret 0
Ed Elisian Ret 0
Pat O'Connor Ret 0
Paul Goldsmith Ret 0
Jerry Unser Ret 0
Len Sutton Ret 0
Art Bisch Ret 0
Alan Stacey Ret 0
Mike Magill DSQ 0
Ken Kavanagh DNQ DNS 0
Bruce Kessler DNQ 0
Paul Emery DNQ 0
André Testut DNQ 0
Luigi Piotti DNQ 0
Bernie Ecclestone DNQ DNP 0
Luigi Taramazzo DNQ 0
Louis Chiron DNQ 0
Drivers ineligible for Formula One points, because they drove with Formula Two cars
Bruce McLaren 5 13
Edgar Barth 6
Tony Marsh 8
Robert La Caze 14
André Guelfi 15
Christian Goethals Ret
Dick Gibson Ret
Brian Naylor Ret
François Picard Ret
Tom Bridger Ret
Pos. Driver ARG
MON
NED
500
BEL
FRA
GBR
GER
POR
ITA
MOR
Pts.
Key
ColourResult
GoldWinner
Silver2nd place
Bronze3rd place
GreenOther points position
Blue Other classified position
Not classified, finished (NC)
PurpleNot classified, retired (Ret)
Red Did not qualify (DNQ)
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ)
BlackDisqualified (DSQ)
White Did not start (DNS)
Race cancelled (C)
Blank Did not practice (DNP)
Excluded (EX)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Withdrawn (WD)
Text formatting Meaning
Bold Pole position
Italics Fastest lap
  • Italics indicate fastest lap (1 point awarded – point shared equally between drivers sharing fastest lap)
  • Bold indicates pole position
  • ~ No points awarded for shared drive
  • 1 – Ineligible for Formula One points, because he drove with a Formula Two car.

1958 International Cup for F1 Manufacturers – final standings

The 1958 International Cup for F1 Manufacturers was contested over the same series of races as the World Championship of Drivers, with the exception of the Indianapolis 500 which counted only towards the Drivers' title. Points were awarded on an 8–6–4–3–2 basis to the first five finishers at each race. However a manufacturer only received points for its highest placed car and only the best six results from the ten races were retained.

Pos. Manufacturer ARG
MON
NED
BEL
FRA
GBR
GER
POR
ITA
MOR
Pts.[5]
1 Vanwall Ret 1 1 (2) (4) 1 1 1 1 48 (57)
2 Ferrari 2 2 (5) 2 1 1 (4) 2 (2) (2) 40 (57)
3 Cooper-Climax 1 1 4 8 6 3 2 7 5 7 31
4 BRM 5 2 5 Ret 5 Ret 4 Ret 4 18
5 Maserati 4 Ret 10 7 4 9 Ret Ret 4 6 6
6 Lotus-Climax 6 6 4 Ret Ret 10 Ret 6 10 3
Porsche 11 0
Connaught-Alta DNQ Ret 0
OSCA WD DNQ 0
Pos. Manufacturer ARG
MON
NED
BEL
FRA
GBR
GER
POR
ITA
MOR
Pts.
  • Bold results counted to championship totals.

No points awarded for shared drive.

Non-championship race results

The following races were contested by Formula One cars, but did not count towards the World Championship of Drivers or the International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers.

Race Name Circuit Date Winning driver Constructor Report
VI Glover Trophy Goodwood 7 April Mike Hawthorn Ferrari Report
VIII Gran Premio di Siracusa Syracuse 13 April Luigi Musso Ferrari Report
XIII BARC Aintree 200 Aintree 19 April Stirling Moss Cooper-Climax Report
X BRDC International Trophy Silverstone 3 May Peter Collins Ferrari Report
VI Grand Prix de Caen Caen 20 July Stirling Moss Cooper-Climax Report

References

  1. FIA Yearbook, 1974, Grey section, page 118
  2. FIA Yearbook, 1974, Grey section, page 120
  3. Lang, Mike (1981). Grand Prix! Vol 1. Haynes Publishing Group. p. 123. ISBN 0-85429-276-4.
  4. "DRIVERS: SIR STIRLING MOSS". grandprix.com. Inside F1. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
  5. Only the best 6 results counted towards the Championship. Numbers without parentheses are Championship points; numbers in parentheses are total points scored.
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