Fangio reigns at Reims

Juan Manuel Fangio (Mercedes W196s), at the 1954 French Grand Prix at Reims (photo above). The Argentinian driver won the 61-lap race after he started from pole position. His team mate Karl Kling finished second and Ferrari driver Robert Manzon came in third.

In 1954, Juan Manuel Fangio thus won the French Grand Prix at the Reims circuit, marking Mercedes’ first victory in Formula 1 and a historic 1-2 finish with teammate Karl Kling. They drove the unconventional silver W196 “Silver Arrows” cars and finished over a lap ahead of the rest of the field, securing a dominant performance for Mercedes in their return to the sport.