70 years ago, Alberto Ascari gave Ferrari a second crown

This article on Alberto Ascari can be found in our Collector Ferrari. 132 pages which retrace the 1000 Grands Prix of the team in F1 ! It is available in our online store in version paper et PRESENCE.

This German round, however, did not please the truculent transalpine who had to give up despite a change of mount in the middle of the race. With three races remaining, but a points system only retaining the four best performances of the season, that day Alberto Ascari nevertheless mathematically became World Champion on the formidable Norsdschleife. 

Born on July 13, 1918 in Milan, Alberto Ascari was only 7 years old when his father Antonio was killed in Montlhéry, during the 1925 ACF Grand Prix. It was by motorbike that he set out to follow in his footsteps before that Enzo Ferrari entrusted him with one of his “815” at the Mille Milles 1940. After the war, Alberto founded a transport company with his friend and mentor Luigi Villoresi, who convinced him to return to competition. The two men drove Maseratis in 1947 before moving to the Ferrari camp, of which they would become the pillars from 1949 to 1952. Younger and more gifted, Ascari did not take long to establish himself as leader of the Scuderia. Fifth in the championship in 1950, vice-champion the following year after a victory at the Italian Grand Prix, he reached his peak during the two seasons. F2 » in 1952 and 1953. At the wheel of his Ferrari 500, Alberto became unbeatable. Absent at the Swiss Grand Prix, because he competed in the Indianapolis 500 on the same day in the colors of the Scuderia, he went on to achieve 9 consecutive victories, spanning two seasons: a record which still stands, although equaled by Sebastian Hag in 2013. During these, he obtained 11 victories in 14 Grands Prix contested (excluding Indianapolis), 11 pole positions and 9 lap records. He was only beaten consistently by his teammate Hawthorn at the 1953 ACF Grand Prix, his other two defeats being due to the loss of a wheel (Germany 1953) and a collision in the last corner with Farina (Italy). 1953). This incident perhaps illustrates Asca's only weak pointlaughed: a tendency to lose his temper when he was in the middle of a fight. His favorite tactic was to start in the lead from pole position, letting go of his opponents from the start before controlling his lead. When he succeeded, he was irresistible, including to Fangio. “Ascari felt confident when he played the role of the hare and it was at these moments that one could admire his style at its most brilliant », Ferrari will say about him.

In 1954, the double world champion joined Lancia, but the D50 was not ready until the end of the season. The following year, success finally seemed to smile on him in Monaco, where the Mercedes are forced to abandon. He had just taken the lead when, betrayed by his brakes, he went off the road at the chicane and plunged into the port. Drafted with a broken nose, he was asked to rest for a week but, the following Thursday, his colt Eugenio Castellotti invited him to Monza to take a look at the tests he was conducting in preparation for the race. endurance planned for Sunday. Coming in civilian clothes, Alberto has no intention of driving, but the call of the track will be the strongest. In a shirt and tie, and without a helmet, he sits behind the wheel. at his 3^e turn, in the fast Vialone curve, which took its name before a chicane was built there in 1972, Alberto lost control of his 750 Monza and was ejected. The Campionissimo died on May 26, 1955, at the age of 36, just like his father Antonio. The most fanciful hypotheses will be evoked to explain this accident which remained mysterious, although the failure of a tire was suspected. Enzo Ferrari himself will mention the rumor of a worker having crossed the track. Alberto Ascari took to his grave the answer to another question: which, him or Fangio, was better? Without having seen them confront each other on equal terms, the question will remain forever asked.

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