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The 1953 Dutch Grand Prix was a Formula Two race held on 7 June 1953 at the Circuit van Zandvoort. It was the third round of the 1953 World Drivers' Championship, which was run to Formula Two rules in 1952 and 1953, rather than the Formula One regulations normally used. The 90-lap race was won by Ferrari driver Alberto Ascari after he started from pole position. His teammate Luigi Villoresi finished second and Maserati drivers José Froilán González and Felice Bonetto came in third.

Background[]

A six month period had passed in between the first round of the world championship in Argentina and the Dutch Grand Prix. Nonetheless, a number of non-championship races had filled this time period. Ferrari were still the clear favourite for the championship, in the non-championship events, Ascari had taken victory at Pau and Bordeaux, Farina had won in Naples whilst Hawthorn had won races at Silverstone and Dundrod.

Maserati's works squad had elected to not fight the Ferrari's in the non-championship races. Gioacchino Colombo and Valerio Colotti continued to develop the A6GCM, hoping the six month gap in the championship would give them enough time to develop the car to a standard that would be able to match the dominant Ferrari 500.

The Maserati's hadn't been totally inactive in the non-championship races, they had managed a lone victory at Syracuse. Emmanuel de Graffenried who had purchased an A6GCM to race privately had won the race when the Ferrari's had retired due to mechanical trouble. For the Dutch race, De Graffenried would enter his A6GCM for Enrico Platé. Platé had run into financial difficulty and was struggling to update to the modern machinery, after running the now outdated Maserati 4CLT/48 model for years. He would, however make a return to the paddock to team up with De Graffenried once again for the Dutch event.

There had been changes within the Gordini team for the Dutch event. After wheel bearing failure had cost Robert Manzon an almost certain fifth place in Argentina, the team's long-time lead driver had grown frustrated with the lack of success and had quit the team. Maurice Trintignant was now expected to take the leadership of the team. Jean Behra had opted to take some further rest time, he had still felt he had not properly recovered from his injuries at Modena the previous year. As replacements, Gordini would have two American drivers in their team. Harry Schell had already competed in the championship for the team, however Fred Wacker, a sportscar driver who had impressed the team in competing in non-championship races was also signed. A fourth entry for Argentine driver, Roberto Mieres, would also be joining the team.

Cooper were not expected to make any more works entries into the championship following their venture at the Argentine Grand Prix. However Ken Wharton would continue to compete in the championship with the new T23 model as a privateer. Without Cooper, Connaught and HWM were once again expected to lead the British representation in the grand prix field.

Stirling Moss was expected to run the Cooper T23 for 1953, however after a troubled run at the Eifelrennen, Moss had elected to remain with the Connaught team. Alongside Moss at Connaught would be Kenneth McAlpine and Roy Salvadori. Johnny Claes had also purchased a private Connaught for his personal use in the championship.

HWM would continue with the same line-up as the previous year, both Peter Collins and Lance Macklin leading their charge. The team were now running a new chassis, the car being labelled as the HWM 53.

Entry list[]

The full entry list for the 1953 Dutch Grand Prix is outlined below:

No. Driver Entrant Constructor Chassis Engine Model Tyre
2 Italy Alberto Ascari Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari 500 Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 P
4 Italy Luigi Villoresi Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari 500 Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 P
6 Italy Giuseppe Farina Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari 500 Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 P
8 United Kingdom Mike Hawthorn Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari 500 Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 P
10 France Louis Rosier Ecurie Rosier Ferrari 500 Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 D
12 Argentina Juan Manuel Fangio Officine Alfieri Maserati Maserati A6GCM Maserati A6 2.0 L6 P
14 Argentina José Froilán González Officine Alfieri Maserati Maserati A6GCM Maserati A6 2.0 L6 P
16 Italy Felice Bonetto Officine Alfieri Maserati Maserati A6GCM Maserati A6 2.0 L6 P
18 Switzerland Toulo de Graffenried Emmanuel de Graffenried Maserati A6GCM Maserati A6 2.0 L6 P
20 United States Harry Schell Equipe Gordini Gordini Type 16 Gordini 20 2.0 L6 E
22 Argentina Roberto Mieres Equipe Gordini Gordini Type 16 Gordini 20 2.0 L6 E
24 France Maurice Trintignant Equipe Gordini Gordini Type 16 Gordini 20 2.0 L6 E
26 United Kingdom Roy Salvadori Connaught Engineering Connaught A Lea Francis Lea Francis 2.0 L4 D
28 United Kingdom Ken McAlpine Connaught Engineering Connaught A Lea Francis Lea Francis 2.0 L4 D
30 Belgium Johnny Claes Ecurie Belge Connaught A Lea Francis Lea Francis 2.0 L4 E
32 United Kingdom Ken Wharton Ken Wharton Cooper T23 Bristol BS1 2.0 L6 D
34 United Kingdom Stirling Moss Connaught Engineering Connaught A Lea Francis Lea Francis 2.0 L4 D
36 United Kingdom Peter Collins HW Motors HWM 53 Alta Alta GP 2.5 L4 D
38 United Kingdom Lance Macklin HW Motors HWM 53 Alta Alta GP 2.5 L4 D
40 United States Fred Wacker Equipe Gordini Gordini Type 16 Gordini 20 2.0 L6 E

Qualifying[]

Before the grand prix, the race organisers had elected to resurface the Zandvoort track surface. This resurfacing with the addition of heavy winds blowing sand from nearby dunes onto the track surface had made the conditions incredibly slippery. Ferrari had elected to fit their cars with a wire gauze screen to prevent the blown sand from afflicting the driver. Maserati were quick to follow the idea of the grand prix's leading team.

As expected the practice sessions were a direct fight between the Ferrari and Maserati cars. Maserati's leader, Juan Manuel Fangio was once again proving that he was capable of matching the pace of all the Ferrari drivers with the exception of the reigning champion, Alberto Ascari. Whilst Fangio held the second fastest time, Ascari was able to push the Ferrari 500 to its full capability and held the pole time, a second faster than Fangio's best time.

Behind Fangio were the two Ferrari cars of Farina and Villoresi, the second fastest Maserati of González was fourth, however he was two seconds slower than his team leader. Hawthorn, once again was the slowest of the Ferrari cars, only managing fifth on the grid. De Graffenried, in the Enrico Platé Maserati was sixth, however he was nearly four seconds slower than Hawthorn's time. Suffering the most of the front runners was the works Maserati of Bonetto, mechanical troubles had meant that the best he could do was only thirteenth on the grid.

Rosier, in his private Ferrari was seventh, ahead of Moss, who impressed to get within the top ten in his Connaught chassis. Harry Schell was ninth, the Gordini driver had troubles with his own car and was forced to take the chassis of teammate, Fred Wacker. Wacker would therefore have no further running in the weekend, however Schell did well to outperform his team leader, Trintignant, who managed only twelfth.

Salvadori's Connaught was the last driver in the top ten, the final Connaught of McAlpine had struggled to match the pace of his two younger teammates, Moss and Salvadori. Rounding out the back of the field were Macklin, Collins, Claes, Wharton and Mieres.

[]

Qualifying Results[]

Pos No Driver Constructor Time Gap
1 2 Italy Alberto Ascari Italy Ferrari 1:51.1
2 12 Argentina Juan Manuel Fangio Italy Maserati 1:52.7 + 1.6
3 6 Italy Giuseppe Farina Italy Ferrari 1:53.0 + 1.9
4 4 Italy Luigi Villoresi Italy Ferrari 1:53.7 + 2.6
5 14 Argentina José Froilán González Italy Maserati 1:54.1 + 3.0
6 8 United Kingdom Mike Hawthorn Italy Ferrari 1:54.9 + 3.8
7 18 Switzerland Toulo de Graffenried Italy Maserati 1:58.7 + 7.6
8 10 France Louis Rosier Italy Ferrari 1:59.5 + 8.4
9 34 United Kingdom Stirling Moss United Kingdom Connaught-Lea-Francis 2:00.0 + 8.9
10 20 United States Harry Schell France Gordini 2:00.1 + 9.0
11 26 United Kingdom Roy Salvadori United Kingdom Connaught-Lea-Francis 2:00.5 + 9.4
12 24 France Maurice Trintignant France Gordini 2:01.2 + 10.1
13 16 Italy Felice Bonetto Italy Maserati 2:01.5 + 10.4
14 28 United Kingdom Kenneth McAlpine United Kingdom Connaught-Lea-Francis 2:01.9 + 10.8
15 38 United Kingdom Lance Macklin United Kingdom HWM-Alta 2:02.4 + 11.3
16 36 United Kingdom Peter Collins United Kingdom HWM-Alta 2:03.1 + 12.0
17 30 Belgium Johnny Claes United Kingdom Connaught-Lea-Francis 2:03.9 + 12.8
18 32 United Kingdom Ken Wharton United Kingdom Cooper-Bristol 2:06.4 + 15.3
19 22 Argentina Roberto Mieres France Gordini 2:08.5 + 17.4
20 40 United States Fred Wacker France Gordini No time
Source: [1]

Grid[]

Race[]

Report[]

The Ferrari cars made an excellent start, Ascari making his customary storm into the race lead. Behind him, his teammates Villoresi and Farina had moved past Fangio in the approach to the first corner whilst Hawthorn had passed González. At the end of the first lap, Ascari led Villoresi, Farina, Fangio, Hawthorn, De Graffenried, González and Moss.

The Ferrari's clearly had the advantage at the Zandvoort circuit, the top three of Ascari, Villoresi and Farina had begun to streak into the distance, leaving Fangio's Maserati with little opportunity to catch them. Behind him, González, had attempted to stage his comeback, he had overtaken De Graffenried on lap seven, however whilst pressuring Hawthorn he had suffered a rear axle failure which had brought him out of the race.

Earlier retirements had seen Macklin pull his HWM off with throttle problems, Salvadori's Connaught had suffered engine failure whilst Wharton had pulled his Cooper out of the race due to driver discomfort. González returned to the pits on foot where he signalled to take control of teammate Bonetto's car who was fighting an ailing midfield battle with Schell's Gordini.

González now returning to the race would begin a spirited fight back, his first challenge would be to get past the Gordini cars. His comeback was assisted when Mieres pulled off the circuit, he first moved past Trintignant before five laps later he passed the lead Gordini of Schell. He then quickly overtook De Graffenried for a second time to take sixth, he was then promoted to fifth when his team leader, Fangio, had pulled off the circuit with an axle problem.

Fangio's retirement had left Ferrari in a secure 1-2-3 position. Ascari was typically dominating in the lead of the race, whilst Villoresi and Farina continued to duel for second position. Hawthorn was somewhat lagging in fourth position, his position was coming under threat from González who continued to storm around the circuit. A spin at the Tarzan corner had meant González's drive to catch Hawthorn was somewhat hampered, however this did not discourage him and he continued to give chase to Hawthorn's Ferrari.

Villoresi had been desperately trying to shake off teammate Farina the whole race, however a throttle problem would force him into the pits. He had returned to the track in fourth, however it had become immediately evident that the problem was terminal and he returned to the pits to retire. There was some consolation for Villoresi, his fastest lap on lap 59 would not be beaten and he would secure one point in the championship.

Ferrari remained in a 1-2-3 position, Ascari and Farina's positions were quite secure, however Hawthorn continued to be chased by González. With only ten laps to the end of the race, González had managed to catch and pass Hawthorn's Ferrari, much to the disappointment of the Ferrari pit crew.

Nonetheless, their car in the hands of Ascari was once again unbeatable, Ascari took his now customary victory, dominating the race with a lead of 10.4 seconds ahead of teammate Farina. One lap behind,González was third ahead of Hawthorn, whilst a further two laps behind Ascari was De Graffenried, rounding out the final points position.

Moss had been running in sixth throughout the race, until a loose stone had damaged his Connaught's ignition system which had forced him out of the running. Schell had inherited the place, however he was later forced out with transmission failure. This meant Trintingnant finished sixth ahead of Rosier, Collins and Moss. Claes also saw the chequered flag, however he was not classified after completing only 52 laps.

Results[]

Pos No Driver Constructor Laps Time/Retired Grid Points
1 2 Italy Alberto Ascari Italy Ferrari 90 2:53:35.8 1 8
2 6 Italy Giuseppe Farina Italy Ferrari 90 + 10.4 3 6
3 16 Italy Felice Bonetto
Argentina José Froilán González
Italy Maserati 89 + 1 Lap 13 2
2
4 8 United Kingdom Mike Hawthorn Italy Ferrari 89 + 1 Lap 6 3
5 18 Switzerland Toulo de Graffenried Italy Maserati 88 + 2 Laps 7 2
6 24 France Maurice Trintignant France Gordini 87 + 3 Laps 12  
7 10 France Louis Rosier Italy Ferrari 86 + 4 Laps 8  
8 36 United Kingdom Peter Collins United Kingdom HWM-Alta 84 + 6 Laps 16  
9 34 United Kingdom Stirling Moss United Kingdom Connaught-Lea-Francis 83 + 7 Laps 9  
Ret 4 Italy Luigi Villoresi Italy Ferrari 67 Throttle 4 1*
Ret 28 United Kingdom Kenneth McAlpine United Kingdom Connaught-Lea-Francis 63 Engine 14  
Ret 20 United States Harry Schell France Gordini 59 Transmission 10  
NC 30 Belgium Johnny Claes United Kingdom Connaught-Lea-Francis 52 + 38 Laps 17  
Ret 12 Argentina Juan Manuel Fangio Italy Maserati 36 Axle 2  
Ret 22 Argentina Roberto Mieres France Gordini 28 Transmission 19  
Ret 14 Argentina José Froilán González Italy Maserati 22 Rear Axle 5  
Ret 32 United Kingdom Ken Wharton United Kingdom Cooper-Bristol 19 Physical 18  
Ret 26 United Kingdom Roy Salvadori United Kingdom Connaught-Lea-Francis 14 Engine 11  
Ret 38 United Kingdom Lance Macklin United Kingdom HWM-Alta 7 Throttle 15  
DNS 40 United States Fred Wacker France Gordini 0 Did not start  
Source: [2]
Notes
  • * – 1 point for fastest lap

Milestones[]

Standings after race[]

References[]


V T E Netherlands Dutch Grand Prix
Circuits Zandvoort (1948-present)
Zandvoort Circuit vector map
Formula One Races 19521953195419551956-195719581959196019611962196319641965196619671968196919701971197219731974197519761977197819791980198119821983198419851986-201920202021202220232024
Non-Championship Races 19501951
V T E 1953 Formula One Season
Constructors AFM • Connaught • Cooper • EMW • Ferrari • Gordini • HWM • Maserati • OSCA • Veritas
Engines Alta • BMW • Bristol • EMW • Ferrari • Gordini • Lea-Francis • Maserati • OSCA • Veritas
Drivers Adolff • Ascari • Barber • Barth • Bauer • Bayol • Bechem • Behra • Berger • Bira • Birger • Bonetto • Brown • Carini • Chiron • Claes • Collins • Crook • Fairman • Fangio • Farina • Fitch • Fitzau • Frère • Gálvez • Gerard • Giraud-Cabantous • Glöckler • J. F. González • de Graffenried • Hamilton • Hawthorn • Heeks • Helfrich • Herrmann • Hirt • Karch • Klodwig • Krause • Landi • Lang • Legat • Loof • Macklin • Maglioli • Mantovani • Manzon • Marimón • McAlpine • Menditeguy • Mieres • S. Moss • Musso • Nuckey • Pilette • Rolt • Rosier • Salvadori • Schell • Scherrer • Schwelm Cruz • Seidel • I. Stewart • J. Stewart • Stuck • Swaters • de Terra • de Tornaco • Trintignant • Villoresi • Wacker • Wharton • Whitehead
Cars AFM 6 • AFM 50-5 • AFM U8 • Connaught A • Cooper T20 • Cooper T23 • Cooper T24 • Ferrari 166 C • Ferrari 500 • Ferrari 553 • Gordini T15 • Gordini T16 • HWM 53 • Maserati A6GCM • OSCA 20 • Veritas Meteor • Veritas RS
Tyres Dunlop • Englebert • Pirelli
Races Argentina • Indianapolis • Netherlands • Belgium • France • Britain • Germany • Switzerland • Italy
See also 1952 Formula One Season • 1954 Formula One Season • Category
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