The Mercedes-Benz W196 is more than just a Formula One car; it’s a testament to engineering brilliance and design ingenuity. Emerging from the shadows of post-war Germany, the W196, often dubbed the “Silver Arrow,” not only marked Mercedes-Benz’s triumphant return to Grand Prix racing but also redefined the standards of motorsport excellence in the 1950s. Its innovative design and formidable performance captivated the racing world, securing back-to-back World Championships in 1954 and 1955.
The W196 immediately distinguished itself with its revolutionary streamlined body, a stark departure from the conventional open-wheel designs of the era. This closed-wheel configuration, known as the Stromlinie, was meticulously sculpted to minimize drag and maximize speed. The bodywork was a masterpiece of curves and stance, featuring a wide, imposing grille, strategically placed cooling inlets, and distinctive character lines above the front wheel arches – a design element that would become a hallmark of the iconic 300 SL series. Crafted in extremely limited numbers by the Mercedes-Benz racing department, these bodies were initially constructed from Elektron magnesium alloy, an exceptionally lightweight material even lighter than aluminum, resulting in a shell weighing a mere 88 pounds. While open-wheel bodies were also produced using lightweight alloy, production later transitioned to steel at Sindelfingen for broader application.
During the 1954 and 1955 seasons, both the streamlined and open-wheel versions of the W196 were strategically deployed, depending on the track characteristics. The Stromlinie, or Streamliner, as it’s also known, with its aerodynamic efficiency and potent mechanical specifications, was capable of exceeding 186 mph, establishing it as one of the fastest Grand Prix cars ever conceived.
1954: The Realization of a Perfect Plan
The success of the Mercedes W196 was not solely attributed to its advanced engineering; the strategic acumen of Alfred Neubauer, Mercedes-Benz’s long-time racing team manager, played a crucial role. Neubauer understood that even the most sophisticated machine required exceptional driving talent. His foresight led to the recruitment of a stellar lineup of drivers, including German veterans Karl Kling and the promising Hans Herrmann. However, the brightest star among them was undoubtedly the Argentinian maestro, Juan Manuel Fangio.
Juan Manuel Fangio, by the late 1950s, had ascended to a level of global fame rarely seen in motorsport, akin to the contemporary stardom of Lewis Hamilton. His name resonated far beyond the racing circuits, with fans worldwide chanting “FONN-GEE-OHHH!” in passionate support.
Prior to his global acclaim, in early 1954, Fangio was recognized as a driver of immense potential on the cusp of greatness. He had already proven his mettle by securing his first Drivers’ Championship with Alfa Romeo in 1951. Yet, with Alfa Romeo’s racing endeavors faltering in 1952 and Formula One temporarily sidelined in favor of Formula Two regulations, Ferrari seized dominance in the subsequent years. Fangio, during this period, demonstrated unwavering commitment, achieving victories with Maserati in sports car racing while patiently awaiting his return to championship contention. Despite his consistent successes, further championships remained elusive, and as he entered his forties, some speculated that his peak years might be behind him.
However, Stuttgart had already recognized Fangio’s exceptional talent. Alfred Neubauer, always seeking the best drivers, recalled Fangio’s remarkable performance at the 1951 Swiss Grand Prix, where he achieved pole position, fastest lap, and victory in an Alfa Romeo. Neubauer contacted Fangio’s agent, and a contract was secured for the 1954 season with Mercedes-Benz. As the 1954 season commenced, the highly anticipated Mercedes-Benz challenger was still under development. Consequently, Fangio continued to race for Maserati in the initial two rounds of the 1954 Formula One season, securing victories at both the Argentine and Belgian Grands Prix. Following the Belgian Grand Prix triumph, Fangio officially transitioned to Mercedes-Benz.
July 1954 marked the momentous debut of the new Mercedes-Benz race cars at the French Grand Prix in Reims. The unveiling of three W196 R Streamliners immediately commanded attention, their appearance unlike anything previously witnessed in Formula One. Fangio, Kling, and Herrmann qualified in 1st, 2nd, and 7th positions, respectively. Herrmann recorded the fastest lap of the race, while Fangio and Kling delivered a dominant 1-2 finish. This race signaled a resounding and triumphant return to racing for Mercedes-Benz after a prolonged absence.
Fangio secured pole position for the British Grand Prix later in July, but rain-affected conditions resulted in a 4th-place finish. The team rebounded at the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring in early August, fielding a four-car team comprising three open-wheel cars and one Streamliner. This event marked the debut of the open-wheel configuration of the W196 R. Fangio once again claimed pole position and went on to win the race, with Kling finishing 4th, both driving open-wheel cars. A three-car team, all open-wheel, competed at the Swiss Grand Prix three weeks later, yielding nearly identical results, with Fangio securing victory and Herrmann finishing 3rd.
At the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in early September, Mercedes-Benz entered two Streamliners and one open-wheel car, based on testing that indicated the closed-fender design would be faster at this high-speed circuit. During the race, Stirling Moss, a young British privateer driving a Maserati 250F, led for 19 laps before retiring due to a cracked oil tank. Fangio in a Streamliner and Herrmann in an open-wheel car secured 1st and 4th place finishes, respectively. Moss’s impressive performance likely caught the attention of Rudolf Uhlenhaut and Alfred Neubauer.
Two weeks later, the W196 R cars participated in a non-championship race, the Berlin Grand Prix, held at the AVUS circuit. With no championship points at stake, this event served primarily as a public relations showcase for the enthusiastic German audience. Three Streamliners, driven by Kling, Fangio, and Herrmann, achieved an effortless 1-2-3 podium sweep.
At the Spanish Grand Prix in late October, the final race of the year, Fangio finished in 3rd place, leading the Mercedes-Benz contingent of three open-wheel entries. Juan Manuel Fangio’s legend was further cemented as he secured his second Drivers’ Championship. The immediate and overwhelming potency of the Mercedes-Benz W196 R Silver Arrow was unequivocally established, successfully thwarting Ferrari’s bid for a third consecutive Formula One championship.
Amidst this immediate display of dominance by the W196 R, chassis number 00009/54, a particularly significant car, was completed. Originally built as an open-wheel monoposto on the 1954-specification 2,350-millimeter long-wheelbase chassis and designated with a ’54’ suffix in its chassis number (cars from 1955 feature a ’55’ suffix), chassis number 00009/54 commenced testing on December 15, 1954. For chassis number 00009/54, and the victorious Mercedes-Benz racing team, even greater achievements were on the horizon for the upcoming season.
CHASSIS NUMBER 00009/54 IN COMPETITION: OPEN-WHEEL
For the 1955 season, the W196 R underwent further development to maintain its competitive edge. The engine was refined with enhancements including a new intake manifold, and the team opted to primarily utilize the open-wheel grand prix bodies for the majority of the 1955 races. The updated cars were approximately 70 kilograms (154 pounds) lighter than their predecessors. Extensive testing revealed that the 1954 W196 R’s performance had been notably compromised by its Continental tires, prompting the team to challenge the tire manufacturer to develop a superior product. Their off-season development proved to be a crucial advancement for the revised car.
The Rennabteilung once again sought top-tier driving talent, recruiting the rising 25-year-old British star from Monza, Stirling Moss, to join their esteemed driver lineup. Moss would later become a renowned figure in his own right, recognized as one of Britain’s most celebrated racing drivers. Despite his career being prematurely curtailed by an accident in 1962, he remained a passionate advocate for motorsports and a staunch supporter of the automotive industry throughout his life, even serving as a brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz in his later years. His lifelong contributions to the sport and the British motoring heritage were acknowledged in 2000 when he was knighted by the future King Charles.
However, in the early 1950s, Moss was still progressing as a privateer, a journey that commenced with his victory at the 1950 Tourist Trophy. To secure a position with the Mercedes-Benz team, in 1953, he acquired and raced a true Formula One specification car, the Maserati 250F. While the 250F exhibited some reliability issues in competition, Moss demonstrated considerable promise during several impressive qualifying sessions, and Neubauer took note of his performance at the 1954 Italian Grand Prix. By December 1954, Moss was recruited and began practicing in the W196 R, familiarizing himself with the car’s intricacies while being impressed by the Rennabteilung‘s team environment.
Moss later reflected on the Mercedes-Benz team, stating, “Their thoroughness and thoughtfulness amazed me from the very beginning. It was like being in a different world…Every course where the cars raced was analyzed mathematically…Neubauer himself used to mark and time gearchanges, lap after lap…Drivers were listened to and respected, which often doesn’t happen on other top teams…Nothing was too much trouble—and they were willing to try anything which might improve performance.”
Mercedes-Benz’s unwavering commitment had clearly borne fruit in 1954, and it was poised to yield further successes with Moss joining the team. It was Fangio, however, who continued his winning streak, securing victory at the opening round of the 1955 Formula One season at the Argentine Grand Prix on January 16, 1955. With the next Formula One points event not scheduled until late May, the team remained in Argentina to conduct live-action testing during the Buenos Aires Grand Prix, as the Formula Libre race’s open regulations provided an ideal testing ground for Formula One teams.
The Formula Libre Buenos Aires Grand Prix on January 30, 1955, marked the racing debut of chassis number 00009/54, driven by none other than Juan Manuel Fangio as car #2. According to Rennabteilung build sheets and recent confirmation from Mercedes-Benz, chassis number 00009/54 was equipped with a “Sport 59” engine, believed to be code for the 3.0-liter M196 engine, and fitted with an open-wheel monoposto body. One of the team’s primary objectives for this non-Formula One event was to test this new iteration of the M196 engine, intended for use in the upcoming W 196 S sports car, the 300 SLR. Moss, Kling, and Herrmann also participated alongside Fangio, each driving an open-wheel car.
