STORY OF THE DAY: Fangio and Castellotti Lead a Ferrari One-Two

On 24 March 1956, Juan Manuel Fangio and Eugenio Castellotti won the 12 Hours of Sebring in the number 17 Ferrari 860 Monza. They led home the sister car of Luigi Musso and Harry Schell, giving Ferrari maximum points in the second round of the World Sportscar Championship.

Sebring’s fractured concrete surface subjected suspension, tyres and drivers to continuous punishment, while the Florida heat intensified the strain. Fangio established a commanding pace and Castellotti completed the work, their disciplined approach converting the car’s performance into a decisive endurance result.

The 860 Monza used a tubular chassis and a front-mounted 3.4-litre Lampredi inline-four with twin overhead camshafts. Strong torque suited acceleration from Sebring’s slower corners, and the open Scaglietti body kept weight low. A rear transaxle contributed to more balanced weight distribution.

Fangio was an Argentine multiple Formula One world champion who joined Ferrari for the 1956 season. Castellotti was a younger Italian works driver distinguished in sports cars, road races and hill climbs. Their partnership united supreme experience with emerging talent, and both would deliver further major victories for Ferrari that year.