Shark attack!

The beautiful Ferrari 156, characterized by its shark-mouth-shaped nose, dominated the 1961 Formula 1 season.

On two occasions, four single-seaters were fielded by the Scuderia: at Spa for the Belgian Grand Prix where Olivier Gendebien’s car, here leading on the first lap (photo below), had been repainted in yellow in homage to the Ecurie Francorchamps of Jacques Swaters, the Ferrari distributor in the Benelux.

The second time, at Monza during the Italian Grand Prix, the fourth 156 was entrusted to Mexican rookie Ricardo Rodriguez alongside those of the usual drivers Wolfgang von Trips, Phil Hill and Richie Ginther.

Unfortunately, the event was marred by the tragic fatal accident of von Trips, whose off-track excursion caused the death of about fifteen spectators, leaving a bitter taste in the mouth of the title won that day by Phil Hill, the first American world champion in the history of F1.