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 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 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.
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 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

Although the engine formula remained the same, maximum race lengths were reduced to 300 kilometres or two hours, and the use of commercial petrol became compulsory, in place of specialized alcohol-based racing fuels. 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.
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.
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

Teams and drivers

The following teams and drivers competed in the 1958 FIA World Championship.
EntrantConstructorChassisEngineTyreDriverRounds
Scuderia Sud AmericanaMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Juan Manuel Fangio1
Scuderia Sud AmericanaMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Carlos Menditeguy1
Ken KavanaghMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Jean Behra1
Ken KavanaghMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Luigi Taramazzo2
Ken KavanaghMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Ken Kavanagh2, 5
Jo BonnierMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Harry Schell1
Jo BonnierMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Jo Bonnier2–3, 5, 7, 9
Jo BonnierMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Phil Hill6
Jo BonnierMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Giulio Cabianca10
Jo BonnierMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Hans Herrmann10–11
Francesco Godia SalesMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Paco Godia1–2, 5–6
H.H. GouldMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Horace Gould1–3
H.H. GouldMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Masten Gregory3
R.R.C. Walker Racing TeamCooper-ClimaxT43
T45		Climax FPF 2.0 L4
 Stirling Moss1
R.R.C. Walker Racing TeamCooper-ClimaxT43
T45		Climax FPF 2.0 L4
 Maurice Trintignant2–3, 7–11
R.R.C. Walker Racing TeamCooper-ClimaxT43
T45		Climax FPF 2.0 L4
 Ron Flockhart2
R.R.C. Walker Racing TeamCooper-ClimaxT43Climax FPF 1.5 L4 François Picard11
Scuderia FerrariFerrari246Ferrari 143 2.4 V6 Luigi Musso1–3, 5–6
Scuderia FerrariFerrari246Ferrari 143 2.4 V6 Peter Collins1–3, 5–8
Scuderia FerrariFerrari246Ferrari 143 2.4 V6 Mike Hawthorn1–3, 5–11
Scuderia FerrariFerrari246Ferrari 143 2.4 V6 Wolfgang von Trips2, 6–10
Scuderia FerrariFerrari246Ferrari 143 2.4 V6 Olivier Gendebien5, 10–11
Scuderia FerrariFerrari246Ferrari 143 2.4 V6 Phil Hill10–11
Scuderia FerrariFerrari156Ferrari D156 1.5 V6 Phil Hill8
Owen Racing OrganisationBRMP25BRM P25 2.5 L4 Jean Behra2–3, 5–11
Owen Racing OrganisationBRMP25BRM P25 2.5 L4 Harry Schell2–3, 5–11
Owen Racing OrganisationBRMP25BRM P25 2.5 L4 Maurice Trintignant6
Owen Racing OrganisationBRMP25BRM P25 2.5 L4 Jo Bonnier10–11
Owen Racing OrganisationBRMP25BRM P25 2.5 L4 Ron Flockhart11
Bernie C. EcclestoneConnaught-AltaBAlta GP 2.5 L4 Bernie Ecclestone2, 7
Bernie C. EcclestoneConnaught-AltaBAlta GP 2.5 L4 Bruce Kessler2
Bernie C. EcclestoneConnaught-AltaBAlta GP 2.5 L4 Paul Emery2
Bernie C. EcclestoneConnaught-AltaBAlta GP 2.5 L4 Jack Fairman7
Bernie C. EcclestoneConnaught-AltaBAlta GP 2.5 L4 Ivor Bueb7
Cooper Car CompanyCooper-ClimaxT45
T44		Climax FPF 2.0 L4 Jack Brabham2–3, 5–7, 9–10
Cooper Car CompanyCooper-ClimaxT45
T44		Climax FPF 2.0 L4 Roy Salvadori2–3, 5–11
Cooper Car CompanyCooper-ClimaxT45
T44		Climax FPF 2.0 L4 Ian Burgess7
Cooper Car CompanyCooper-ClimaxT45
T44		Climax FPF 2.0 L4 Jack Fairman11
Cooper Car CompanyCooper-ClimaxT45Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Bruce McLaren8, 11
Cooper Car CompanyCooper-ClimaxT45Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Jack Brabham8, 11
Team LotusLotus-Climax12
16		Climax FPF 2.0 L4
Climax FPF 2.2 L4		 Cliff Allison2–3, 5–8, 10–11
Team LotusLotus-Climax12
16		Climax FPF 2.0 L4
Climax FPF 2.2 L4		 Graham Hill2–3, 5–7, 9–11
Team LotusLotus-Climax12
16		Climax FPF 2.0 L4
Climax FPF 2.2 L4		 Alan Stacey7
Team LotusLotus-Climax16Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Graham Hill8
Vandervell ProductsVanwallVW 5Vanwall 254 2.5 L4 Stirling Moss2–3, 5–11
Vandervell ProductsVanwallVW 5Vanwall 254 2.5 L4 Tony Brooks2–3, 5–11
Vandervell ProductsVanwallVW 5Vanwall 254 2.5 L4 Stuart Lewis-Evans2–3, 5–7, 9–11
Maria Teresa de FilippisMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Maria Teresa de Filippis2, 5, 10
Giorgio ScarlattiMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Giorgio Scarlatti2–3
Giorgio ScarlattiMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Jo Bonnier6
Scuderia Centro SudMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Gerino Gerini2, 6–7, 10–11
Scuderia Centro SudMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Maurice Trintignant5
Scuderia Centro SudMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Masten Gregory5
Scuderia Centro SudMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Wolfgang Seidel5, 11
Scuderia Centro SudMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Carroll Shelby6–7, 10
Scuderia Centro SudMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Troy Ruttman6, 8
Scuderia Centro SudMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Jo Bonnier8
Scuderia Centro SudMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Hans Herrmann8
Scuderia Centro SudMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Cliff Allison9
Scuderia Centro SudMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Maria Teresa de Filippis9
Scuderia Centro SudCooper-ClimaxT43Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Wolfgang Seidel8
OSCA AutomobiliOSCAF2OSCA 372 1.5 L4 Giulio Cabianca2
OSCA AutomobiliOSCAF2OSCA 372 1.5 L4 Luigi Piotti2
André TestutMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 André Testut2
André TestutMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Louis Chiron2
Ecurie MaarsbergenPorscheRSKPorsche 547/3 1.5 F4 Carel Godin de Beaufort3
Ecurie MaarsbergenPorscheRS550Porsche 547/3 1.5 F4 Carel Godin de Beaufort8
Juan Manuel FangioMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Juan Manuel Fangio6
Dick GibsonCooper-ClimaxT43Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Dick Gibson8
Dr Ing F. Porsche KGPorscheRSKPorsche 547/3 1.5 F4? Edgar Barth8
High Efficiency MotorsCooper-ClimaxT43Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Ian Burgess8
Ecurie Eperon d'OrCooper-ClimaxT43Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Christian Goethals8
Ecurie Demi LitreLotus-Climax12Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Ivor Bueb8
J.B. NaylorCooper-ClimaxT45Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Brian Naylor8
Tony MarshCooper-ClimaxT45Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Tony Marsh8
Temple BuellMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Carroll Shelby9–10
Temple BuellMaserati250FMaserati 250F1 2.5 L6 Masten Gregory10–11
André GuelfiCooper-ClimaxT45Climax FPF 1.5 L4 André Guelfi11
British Racing PartnershipCooper-ClimaxT45Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Tom Bridger11
Robert La CazeCooper-ClimaxT45Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Robert La Caze11

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.
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.ManufacturerARG
MON
NED
BEL
FRA
GBR
GER
POR
ITA
MOR
Pts.
1 VanwallRet11111148
2 Ferrari22211240
3 Cooper-Climax114863275731
4 BRM525Ret5Ret4Ret418
5 Maserati4Ret10749RetRet466
6 Lotus-Climax664RetRet10Ret6103
— Porsche110
— Connaught-AltaDNQRet0
— OSCAWDDNQ0
Pos.ManufacturerARG
MON
NED
BEL
FRA
GBR
GER
POR
ITA
MOR
Pts.

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 NameCircuitDateWinning driverConstructorReport
VI Glover TrophyGoodwood7 April Mike Hawthorn FerrariReport
VIII Gran Premio di SiracusaSyracuse13 April Luigi Musso FerrariReport
XIII BARC Aintree 200Aintree19 April Stirling Moss Cooper-ClimaxReport
X BRDC International TrophySilverstone3 May Peter Collins FerrariReport
VI Grand Prix de CaenCaen20 July Stirling Moss Cooper-ClimaxReport