Collins’ sportsmanship

The 1956 Italian Formula One Grand Prix, held at Monza was the eighth and final race of the 1956 World Championship of Drivers. Coming into the race, Juan Manuel Fangio had an eight-point lead over Ferrari teammate Peter Collins and fearless French driver Jean Behra, driving a Maserati.

Picture above by Bernard Cahier: Enzo Ferrari and Peter Collins before the start of the 1956 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where Collins would show his great sportsmanship.

Juan Manuel Fangio was forced to retire because of a broken steering arm, while Jean Behra also had to pull out. Luigi Musso, also driving for Ferrari, was told to hand his car over to Fangio to ensure the Argentine’s third consecutive title, but he refused.

Brit Peter Collins, with the opportunity for his first world championship, sportingly handed his car over to Fangio during a routine pit-stop. Fangio and Collins finished second, behind Stirling Moss in a Maserati (picture below), shared the points for second place and ensuring Fangio his fourth title.