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| {{InfoboxLost
| | #REDIRECT [[1953-1954 Formula One World Championships (partially found footage of Formula One races; 1953-1954)]] |
| |title=<center>1953 Italian Grand Prix</center>
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| |image=1953italiangrandprix1.jpg
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| |imagecaption=A four-horse race for the lead, with Juan Manuel Fangio ahead of Nino Farina, Alberto Ascari, and Onofre Marimón.
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| |status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span>
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| }}
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| The '''''1953 Italian Grand Prix''''' was the ninth and final race of the 1953 Formula One Season. Occurring on 13th September at the Monza Circuit, the race would ultimately be won by Juan Manuel Fangio in a Maserati, achieving a hard-fought victory when Ferrari's Alberto Ascari and Nino Farina both encountered trouble at the final corner of the last lap. The race to date is the last Formula One event to be held under Formula 2 regulations.
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| ==Background==
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| The ''1953 Italian Grand Prix'' was the fourth running of the event as part of the FIA's World Championship of Drivers, with the annual event lasting 80 laps.<ref name="results">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1953_Grand_Prix_of_Italy/F/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the qualifying and race results of the event.] Retrieved 7th Aug '22</ref> The Italian Grand Prix, has been held at Monza for all bar one instance in 1980 since Formula One's inception in 1950,<ref>[https://f1experiences.com/fr/blog/italian-grand-prix-fast-facts ''F1 Experiences'' detailing facts regarding the Italian Grand Prix.] Retrieved 7th Aug '22</ref> and has garnered a reputation for being the "home" grand prix of Ferrari.<ref>[https://sfcriga.com/monza-grand-prix-the-ferrari-home ''Scuderia Ferrari Club'' detailing how Monza is considered the home of Ferrari.] Retrieved 7th Aug '22</ref>
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| Heading into the race, both Ferrari and Maserati were testing new designs.<ref name="magazine">[https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/october-1953/11/the-italian-grand ''Motorsport Magazine'' providing a detailed report of the race.] Retrieved 7th Aug '22</ref><ref name="concept">[http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/f1/teamsBySeason.aspx?driverID=30&driverTeamArticleID=96 ''Conceptcarz'' detailing the race, noting it was the last to be held under Formula 2 regulations and potentially could have been Ferrari's last too.] Retrieved 7th Aug '22</ref><ref name="ferrari">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Grand_Prix_Ferrari/Z8fBCQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA102&printsec=frontcover ''Grand Prix Ferrari'' summarising the race and noting Ferrari's announcement of withdrawing was to tempt Fiat into providing further financial backing.] Retrieved 7th Aug '22</ref><ref name="second">[http://second-a-lap.blogspot.com/2013/08/gp-53-round-9-xxiv-gran-premio-ditalia.html ''A Second A Lap'' detailing the race and providing photos of it.]</ref> For Ferrari, the new 553 design proved slower than the dependable 500, with two-time champion Ascari and its other drivers noting issues regarding handling and high oil temperature.<ref name="ferrari"/><ref name="magazine"/><ref name="concept"/><ref name="second"/> Meanwhile, Maserati's modifications saw Fangio and Onofre Marimón improving upon their records set in 1952.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="second"/> When it came to practice however, Fangio almost was forced to withdraw from the race, when he became shaken after a rear tyre broke free while travelling across a right-hand curve at Monza.<ref name="magazine"/> Ultimately, neither the test nor practice versions Ferrari and Maserati entered were utilised for qualifying by their top drivers.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="ferrari"/>
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| In qualifying, Ascari took pole position with a time of 2 minutes and 2.7 seconds.<ref name="results"/><ref name="second"/><ref name="concept"/> Directly behind him was Fangio, with Farina lining up third out of 30 competitors.<ref name="results"/><ref name="second"/><ref name="ferrari"/><ref name="concept"/> The race almost became Ferrari's last; since 1952, races were held under Formula 2 regulations to increase participation.<ref name="concept"/><ref name="second"/><ref name="ferrari"/> However, with teams like Lancia and Mercedes set to enter in 1954, Formula One regulations were to return.<ref name="second"/><ref name="magazine"/><ref name="ferrari"/><ref name="concept"/> Considering Ferrari's success in the Formula 2 era, it appeared that the regulations change was the reason Enzo Ferrari announced his team would withdraw from the Championship after this race.<ref name="ferrari"/><ref name="second"/><ref name="concept"/><ref name="magazine"/> In actuality, Ferrari was using this as a ploy to gain further financial support from Fiat.<ref name="ferrari"/> This move paid off, and the "farewell" race for Ferrari became anything but.<ref name="ferrari"/><ref name="concept"/><ref name="magazine"/><ref name="second"/>
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| ==The Race==
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| With the starting order decided, the 1953 Italian Grand Prix commenced on 13th September.<ref name="results"/> Ascari and Marimón made the best starts and were side-by-side on the first lap, while Fangio was hesitant and fell to sixth.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="concept"/><ref name="ferrari"/><ref name="second"/><ref name="results"/> Nevertheless, the 1951 champion made a comeback, and overtook Ascari for first on lap 7.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="concept"/><ref name="results"/> Throughout the race, the battle for the lead turned into a four-horse race between the Ferraris of Ascari and Farina, and the Maseratis of Fangio and Marimón.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="concept"/><ref name="second"/><ref name="results"/> None held the lead for long, contributing to nineteen lead changes throughout the event.<ref name="results"/><ref name="magazine"/><ref name="ferrari"/><ref name="concept"/><ref name="second"/> In fact, the cars were so close together that all four would be pitting almost simultaneously, separated only by a few yards.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="ferrari"/> This led to concerns at least one would not survive to the end because of engine issues.<ref name="magazine"/> This ultimately proved true when on lap 46, Marimón suffered a damaged oil radiator, repairs of which during two pit stops cost him six minutes and took him out of contention.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="ferrari"/><ref name="concept"/><ref name="second"/>
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| However, Ascari, Farina, and Fangio were still in contention with 20 laps remaining.<ref name="magazine"/> However, it appeared the champion Ascari was gaining the upper hand, when having overtaken Fangio on lap 53, he defended it for 27 consecutive laps.<ref name="results"/><ref name="magazine"/> On the final lap, the trio continued their battle for the lead, with Marimón and Ferrari's Luigi Villoresi also mixed up in the battle, although both were at least a lap down.<ref name="magazine"/> At the final corner, just when it seemed a photo finish was possible, Ascari suddenly spun twice on some oil, and was hit from behind by Marimón, Farina also colliding with Marimón's rear wheel.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="second"/><ref name="ferrari"/><ref name="concept"/> Ascari and Marimón were out, while Farina took evasive action.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="ferrari"/><ref name="second"/><ref name="concept"/><ref name="results"/>
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| This led Fangio to suddenly move from third to first, claiming his only victory in 1953 and eight points, which became nine as he posted the fastest lap.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="ferrari"/><ref name="concept"/><ref name="second"/><ref name="results"/> It was the first Grand Prix since the 1951 Spanish Grand Prix to not be won by Ferrari.<ref name="second"/> Such was the confusion generated from the crash that the man responsible for the chequered flag forgot to wave it, forcing Fangio and Farina to race one more lap to ensure both were classified.<ref name="magazine"/><ref name="concept"/> Farina finished 1.4 seconds behind in second, with Villoresi a lap down in third.<ref name="results"/><ref name="second"/><ref name="ferrari"/><ref name="magazine"/> Ferrari's Mike Hawthorn and Gordini's Maurice Trintignant claimed the final points positions in fourth and fifth respectively.<ref name="results"/><ref name="second"/><ref name="ferrari"/><ref name="magazine"/> The result allowed Fangio to pip Farina for second in the standings, scoring 28 compared to Farina's 26.<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/standings/1953/F/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the final 1953 World Championship of Drivers standings.] Retrieved 7th Aug '22</ref><ref name="second"/><ref name="ferrari"/> The race also marked Ascari's last full-time race for Ferrari, with him departing for Lancia.<ref name="concept"/>
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| ==Availability==
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| The race was reported by an issue of ''La Stampa'' to have received partial live coverage, though it is unclear as to which organisation broadcast it.<ref name="broadcasts">[https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?cid=8D94CC199E340254&resid=8D94CC199E340254!149 List of F1 broadcasts noting the race was televised according to ''La Stampa''.] Retrieved 7th Aug '22</ref> While RAI would televise later Italian Grand Prix starting from the 1954 edition, the organisation did not exist until a year after the 1953 race.<ref name="broadcasts"/> Regardless, this broadcast has yet to publicly resurface, having originated from an era where telerecordings were rare until video tape was perfected in the late-1950s.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/BbcTelevisionReceivedInNewYork-1938 ''Web Archive'' article discussing how most early television is missing due to a lack of directly recording television.] Retrieved 7th Aug '22</ref> Nevertheless, some footage from Italian documentaries and newsreels can be viewed online. Photos have also publicly resurfaced.<ref name="second"/><ref name="ferrari"/>
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| ==Gallery==
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| ===Videos===
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| {{Video|perrow =2
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| |service1 =youtube
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| |id1 =0xw-GvKybb8
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| |description1 =Italian documentary providing footage of the race.
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| |service2 =youtube
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| |id2 =_7AeOjmGaBY
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| |description2 =Newsreel footage of the race.
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| }}
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| ===Images===
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| <gallery mode=packed heights=200px>
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| 1953italiangrandprix2.jpg|Programme for the race.
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| 1953italiangrandprix3.jpg|The four-horse race continues, with Farina leading the pack.
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| 1953italiangrandprix4.jpg|Trintignant ahead of Hawthorn.
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| 1953italiangrandprix5.jpg|Marimón's Maserati following the last corner collision.
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| 1953italiangrandprix6.jpg|Ascari and Marimón walking back to the paddock.
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| </gallery>
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| ==See Also==
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| *[[1953 British Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1953)]]
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| *[[2005 San Marino Grand Prix (partially found ITV advert break during final laps of Formula One race; 2005)]]
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| *[[Donkey Does F1 (partially found photos of Shrek character inflatable at Formula One races; 2004)]]
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| *[[F-1 World Grand Prix III (lost build of cancelled Nintendo 64 Formula One racing game; 2000-2001)]]
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| *[[F1 2010 (lost pre-alpha build of Formula One game; 2010)]]
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| *[[F1 Racing Championship 2 (lost build of cancelled PC/PlayStation 2 Formula One game; 2001)]]
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| *[[Fernando Alonso's 2015 testing accident (lost footage of Formula One test session crash; 2015)]]
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| *[[Grand Prix 3 (lost build of cancelled Dreamcast port of PC Formula One racing game; 2001)]]
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| *[[Grand Prix 4 (lost build of cancelled Xbox port of PC Formula One racing game sequel; 2002)]]
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| *[[McLaren MP4-18 (lost footage of unraced Formula One car; 2003)]]
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| *[[Racing Arrows (partially found Formula One TV series; 2001)]]
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| *[[Robert Kubica's 2010 Japanese Grand Prix Q3 lap (lost audio of Formula One qualifying lap; 2010)]]
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| *[[Williams FW15C (partially found footage and lap time information of unraced CVT Formula One car; 1993)]]
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| ==References==
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| {{reflist}}
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| [[Category:Lost recordings of sports events]]
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| [[Category:Partially found media]]
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| [[Category:Historic]]
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