Mercedes-Benz W196
Encyclopedia
The Mercedes-Benz W196 was the Mercedes-Benz
Formula One
entry in the and Formula One
seasons, winning 9 of 12 races entered in the hands of Juan Manuel Fangio
and Stirling Moss
.
Remarkable firsts included the use of desmodromic valve
s and fuel injection
developed by Mercedes engineers through experience gained on the Messerschmitt Bf 109
fighter engine during World War II.
The legendary 300SLR
was derived from the W196 for the 1955 World Sportscar Championship season
.
The W196's delayed debut on the 1954 French Grand Prix
circuit saw the introduction of the aerodynamic aluminum "Type Monza" body for the high speed track at Reims-Gueux
, Fangio and Karl Kling
claiming a 1-2 finish and youngster Hans Herrmann
posting fastest lap. The same body was later used at Monza
, where it picked up its nickname.
. A conventional open-wheel-version was introduced at the Nürburgring
. Fangio, who had already won the first two GPs of 1954 with a Maserati
, won this and the two following GPs, securing his 2nd World Championship.
At the 1954 Spanish Grand Prix
in late October the low-mounted Mercedes air-intake clogged with leaves, costing the race and leading to its relocation atop the hood.
In the shortened 1955 Formula One season
, abbreviated after the 1955 Le Mans disaster
, the W196 won all but the 1955 Monaco Grand Prix
, Hans Herrmann
crashing in practice, and the other three team Mercedes cars failing to finish. A highlight for driver Stirling Moss was his finish 0.2 seconds ahead of stable mate Fangio at his home event, the 1955 British Grand Prix
, his first GP win, a race where Mercedes romped home with a 1-2-3-4 finish.
After capturing all three world championships it competed in, Mercedes withdrew from motorsport at the end of the 1955 season. Despite its good track performance, drivers Fangio and Moss described the car in Motor Sport magazine as being "a bit difficult to drive, with a tendency for snap oversteer".
Mercedes' 1939 2-stage supercharged 1.5 litre 64.0×58.0 mm V8 (1493 cc) gave 278 bhp at 8,250 rpm with about 2.7 atm (273.6 kPa) pressure. Halving this would have only produced 139 bhp.
Studies by Mercedes showed that 290 bhp at 10,000 rpm could be achieved from 0.75 litres with a supercharger pressure of 4.4 atm (445.8 kPa). 390 shp would have been developed with 100 hp being required to drive the supercharger. Fuel consumption would have been 2.3 times higher than a naturally aspirated engine developing the same power. Since 115 bhp/l (86 kW/l) at 9,000 rpm was being developed by naturally aspirated motorcycle racing engines, it was decided that a 2.5 litre engine was the correct choice. This was a significant change of philosophy, since all previous Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix engines since the 1920s had been supercharged.
The 2496.87 cc straight 8 (76.0×68.8 mm) gave 257 bhp at the 1954 French GP which was its first race. During 1955, this had increased to 290 bhp at 8,500 rpm. The 2981.7 cc sports car (78.0×78.0 mm) gave 310 bhp at 7,500 rpm and was a bored and stroked version of the F1 engine complete with desmodromic valves and fuel injection. Variable length inlet tracts were experimented with and four wheel drive considered. An eventual 340 bhp at 10,000 rpm was targeted for the 2.5 litre F1 motor.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
entry in the and Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
seasons, winning 9 of 12 races entered in the hands of Juan Manuel Fangio
Juan Manuel Fangio
Juan Manuel Fangio , nicknamed El Chueco or El Maestro , was a racing car driver from Argentina, who dominated the first decade of Formula One racing...
and Stirling Moss
Stirling Moss
Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss, OBE FIE is a former racing driver from England...
.
Remarkable firsts included the use of desmodromic valve
Desmodromic valve
A desmodromic valve is a reciprocating engine valve that is positively closed by a cam and leverage system, rather than by a more conventional spring...
s and fuel injection
Fuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
developed by Mercedes engineers through experience gained on the Messerschmitt Bf 109
Messerschmitt Bf 109
The Messerschmitt Bf 109, often called Me 109, was a German World War II fighter aircraft designed by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser during the early to mid 1930s...
fighter engine during World War II.
The legendary 300SLR
Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR was a sportscar racing car for the 1955 World Sportscar Championship season, which it won.-Technical highlights:...
was derived from the W196 for the 1955 World Sportscar Championship season
1955 World Sportscar Championship season
The 1955 World Sportscar Championship season was the 3rd season of the FIA World Sportscar Championship. It was a series for sportscars that ran in many worldwide endurance events. It ran from January 23, 1955 to October 16, 1955, and was composed of six races.-Schedule:-Season results:Points...
.
Type Monza
1954 French Grand Prix
The 1954 French Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Reims-Gueux on July 4, 1954, the same date of 1954 Football World Cup Final...
circuit saw the introduction of the aerodynamic aluminum "Type Monza" body for the high speed track at Reims-Gueux
Reims-Gueux
Reims-Gueux was a triangular motor racing road course near Reims, France, which hosted 14 French Grands Prix.Reims-Gueux was first established in 1926 on the public roads between the small French villages of Thillois and Gueux. The circuit had two very long straights between the towns, and teams...
, Fangio and Karl Kling
Karl Kling
Karl Kling was a motor racing driver and manager from Germany. He participated in 11 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 4 July 1954. He achieved 2 podiums, and scored a total of 17 championship points.It is said, that he was born too late and too early...
claiming a 1-2 finish and youngster Hans Herrmann
Hans Herrmann
Hans Herrmann is a former Formula One and Sports car racing driver from Stuttgart, Germany.In F1, he participated in 19 World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on August 2, 1953...
posting fastest lap. The same body was later used at Monza
Autodromo Nazionale Monza
The Autodromo Nazionale Monza is a race track located near the town of Monza, north of Milan, in Italy. The circuit's biggest event is the Formula One Italian Grand Prix, which has been hosted there since the sport's inception....
, where it picked up its nickname.
Open wheel
Attractive as it was, the streamlined Monza body was not suitable for twistier tracks, leading to defeat at its second race at SilverstoneSilverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side...
. A conventional open-wheel-version was introduced at the Nürburgring
Nürburgring
The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about...
. Fangio, who had already won the first two GPs of 1954 with a Maserati
Maserati
Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993...
, won this and the two following GPs, securing his 2nd World Championship.
At the 1954 Spanish Grand Prix
1954 Spanish Grand Prix
The 1954 Spanish Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on October 24, 1954 at Pedralbes. It was the ninth and final round of the 1954 World Drivers' Championship.- Race report :...
in late October the low-mounted Mercedes air-intake clogged with leaves, costing the race and leading to its relocation atop the hood.
In the shortened 1955 Formula One season
1955 Formula One season
The 1955 Formula One season was the sixth season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1955 World Championship of Drivers, which commenced on January 16, 1955 and ended on September 11 after seven races...
, abbreviated after the 1955 Le Mans disaster
1955 Le Mans disaster
The 1955 Le Mans disaster occurred during the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans motor race, when a crash caused large parts of racing car debris to fly into the crowd. The driver was killed, as were 83 spectators. A further 120 people were injured...
, the W196 won all but the 1955 Monaco Grand Prix
1955 Monaco Grand Prix
The 1955 Monaco Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Monaco on May 22, 1955. It was the second round of the 1955 World Drivers' Championship and was given an honorary name, Grand Prix d'Europe.- Race report :...
, Hans Herrmann
Hans Herrmann
Hans Herrmann is a former Formula One and Sports car racing driver from Stuttgart, Germany.In F1, he participated in 19 World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on August 2, 1953...
crashing in practice, and the other three team Mercedes cars failing to finish. A highlight for driver Stirling Moss was his finish 0.2 seconds ahead of stable mate Fangio at his home event, the 1955 British Grand Prix
1955 British Grand Prix
The 1955 British Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Aintree on 16 July 1955. It was the sixth round of the 1955 World Drivers' Championship.- Classification :- Notes :* Lap Leaders:** Juan Manuel Fangio 10 laps...
, his first GP win, a race where Mercedes romped home with a 1-2-3-4 finish.
After capturing all three world championships it competed in, Mercedes withdrew from motorsport at the end of the 1955 season. Despite its good track performance, drivers Fangio and Moss described the car in Motor Sport magazine as being "a bit difficult to drive, with a tendency for snap oversteer".
Engine
The new 1954 Formula One rules allowed engines of 2.5 litres naturally aspirated or, alternatively, 0.75 litres supercharged. The expected target range for competitive engines was 250 bhp.Mercedes' 1939 2-stage supercharged 1.5 litre 64.0×58.0 mm V8 (1493 cc) gave 278 bhp at 8,250 rpm with about 2.7 atm (273.6 kPa) pressure. Halving this would have only produced 139 bhp.
Studies by Mercedes showed that 290 bhp at 10,000 rpm could be achieved from 0.75 litres with a supercharger pressure of 4.4 atm (445.8 kPa). 390 shp would have been developed with 100 hp being required to drive the supercharger. Fuel consumption would have been 2.3 times higher than a naturally aspirated engine developing the same power. Since 115 bhp/l (86 kW/l) at 9,000 rpm was being developed by naturally aspirated motorcycle racing engines, it was decided that a 2.5 litre engine was the correct choice. This was a significant change of philosophy, since all previous Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix engines since the 1920s had been supercharged.
The 2496.87 cc straight 8 (76.0×68.8 mm) gave 257 bhp at the 1954 French GP which was its first race. During 1955, this had increased to 290 bhp at 8,500 rpm. The 2981.7 cc sports car (78.0×78.0 mm) gave 310 bhp at 7,500 rpm and was a bored and stroked version of the F1 engine complete with desmodromic valves and fuel injection. Variable length inlet tracts were experimented with and four wheel drive considered. An eventual 340 bhp at 10,000 rpm was targeted for the 2.5 litre F1 motor.