1956 F1 Italian Grand Prix Art Print
 
Race Context
 
The 1956 Italian Grand Prix was held at Monza and was the eighth and final round of the 1956 World Championship of Drivers. Entering the race, Juan Manuel Fangio led the standings by eight points over Ferrari teammate Peter Collins and Maserati driver Jean Behra, leaving the championship undecided going into the final event.
 
The Race
 
The race was won by Stirling Moss driving for Maserati. Fangio retired earlier in the race with a broken steering arm, while Behra also failed to finish. Ferrari attempted to secure Fangio’s title by instructing Luigi Musso to hand over his car, but Musso refused. Later, during a routine pit stop, Peter Collins voluntarily gave his Ferrari to Fangio. Fangio resumed the race and finished second, sharing the points for second place with Collins, which secured Fangio’s fourth World Drivers’ Championship title.
 
The Race and Piero Taruffi
 
Piero Taruffi competed at Monza driving for Vanwall. The 1956 Italian Grand Prix marked his final appearance in the Formula One World Championship. Taruffi was one of several drivers making their last World Championship start in this race, alongside Hermano da Silva Ramos, Toulo de Graffenried, Robert Manzon, and Luigi Villoresi.
 
The Car: Vanwall VW56
 
Taruffi drove the Vanwall VW56, powered by a 2.5-litre engine. Vanwall represented Britain’s most advanced Formula One effort of the period.
 
Monza — Parabolica and Banking
 
The Monza circuit combined long straights, steep banking, and the newly formed Parabolica corner. This high-speed configuration placed extreme demands on engines, brakes, and driver concentration, and provided the setting for one of the most consequential championship deciders of the decade.
 
Historical Context
 
Piero Taruffi was one of the most versatile competitors of the post-war era. He competed in Formula One World Championship events from 1950 to 1956 and achieved his sole Grand Prix victory at the 1952 Swiss Grand Prix driving for Ferrari. Beyond Formula One, Taruffi was a highly accomplished endurance racer, winning the Mille Miglia in 1957 with Ferrari. He also had a distinguished career in motorcycle racing, winning the 1932 European Championship in the 500cc class. Trained as an engineer, Taruffi was known for his analytical approach to racing and later contributed to motorsport as a team manager and technical thinker. The 1956 Italian Grand Prix brought his Formula One career to a close at Monza, the country’s most significant racing venue.
 
Note to Collectors: This artwork is an original creative tribute inspired by the rich history of motorsport. While this print accurately depicts iconic moments, cars, and legendary figures, it is an independent artistic production. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any official racing organizations, racing series, drivers, teams, or automotive manufacturers. All trademarks and brand names mentioned are used for descriptive purposes only and remain the property of their respective owners.