Work of art

Juan Manuel Fangio, above at the wheel of the Mercedes W196 Streamline, on the Avus circuit during the 1954 Berlin Grand Prix (not to be confused with the German Grand Prix, held at the Nürburgring).

This first Berlin Grand Prix was a non-championship Formula 1 race, held on the fast Avus circuit near Berlin, with its impressive banking. The race was won by Karl Kling driving a Mercedes W196; the German driver finished ahead of his teammates Hans Herrmann and Juan Manuel Fangio, who came in second and third respectively.

The Mercedes W196, designed by the renowned engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut, was an exceptionally beautiful Formula 1 car. Intended for the 1954 and 1955 F1 World Championships, it was powered by a naturally aspirated 2500cc V8 engine.

In the hands of Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss it won nine of the twelve rounds, and took both world championships in which it was entered. One of the most important F1 cars in history, without any doubt.