Italian Grand Prix 1959 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Stirling Moss won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in a Rob Walker Cooper, defeating Ferrari on their home circuit in front of the passionate tifosi. Phil Hill finished second for Ferrari, with championship leader Jack Brabham third. Moss' victory demonstrated that even at high-speed circuits favoring power, the nimble rear-engine Coopers could compete with Ferrari's more powerful front-engine cars.

Monza's ultra-fast layout traditionally suited powerful engines, but Moss' brilliant racecraft allowed him to maximize the Cooper's handling advantages through the chicanes and lesmos. The British driver's victory silenced the partisan Italian crowd, who watched their Ferrari heroes beaten by the revolutionary British engineering. Hill's strong second place provided some consolation, demonstrating the American's emergence as Ferrari's team leader.

Brabham's third place essentially secured the World Championship, as his points advantage proved insurmountable with only one race remaining. The Australian's consistent approach of scoring points rather than chasing victories had delivered Cooper their first drivers' championship. Moss' victory, while brilliant, couldn't overcome Brabham's season-long consistency, highlighting the cruel irony that the faster driver didn't always win championships.