Sharknose

The Ferrari 156, nicknamed “Sharknose” because of its distinctive nose reminiscent of a shark’s, was a racing car built by Ferrari in 1961 to meet the new regulations of the time, which reduced engine displacement from 2.5- to 1.5-litres (open photo above to enjoy it in full).

Belgian Willy Mairesse, a fast and fearless driver is seen above listening to engineer Mauro Forghieri in the pit lane of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in 1962. He qualified his Ferrari 156 in 6th position, then went off the road violently during the race on lap 25.

American Phil Hill, also seen above behind Mairesse‘s car at this same 1962 Belgian Grand Prix, had won the 1961 World Drivers’ Championship, driving a factory 156 after the Italian Grand Prix held at Monza, where, sadly, his teammate Wolfgang von Trips was killed in a collision with Jim Clark…

Here, at the 1962 Belgian Grand Prix run on the majestic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, victory went to Jim Clark (Lotus-Climax) ahead of Graham Hill (BRM) and Phil Hill at the wheel of his Ferrari 156 (photo below), but his “Sharknose” was not as competitive anymore as the year before.