Argentine Grand Prix 1956 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Juan Manuel Fangio shared victory with Luigi Musso at the Argentine Grand Prix, marking a triumphant start to his Ferrari career and demonstrating the era's practice of driver changes during races. The reigning World Champion had moved to Ferrari following Mercedes' withdrawal from racing, bringing his genius to the Scuderia's Lancia-Ferrari D50. Jean Behra finished second for Maserati in his own right, while Mike Hawthorn claimed third place, also for Maserati.

The race in Buenos Aires showcased Fangio's enduring brilliance on home soil, where passionate Argentine fans packed the circuit to witness their national hero. The shared drive with Musso illustrated the 1950s practice of drivers swapping cars mid-race to manage mechanical stress and driver fatigue. Ferrari's Lancia-Ferrari D50, inherited when Lancia withdrew from racing, featured innovative design elements including outboard fuel tanks, though reliability remained a concern compared to the departed Mercedes.

Fangio's move to Ferrari represented a significant shift in the championship landscape, as the greatest driver of the era now piloted Italian machinery rather than German engineering excellence. His opening victory, though shared, demonstrated that Fangio's talent could elevate any competitive car to championship contention. For Ferrari, securing Fangio's services represented a coup that positioned them as favorites for the 1956 title.