STORY OF THE DAY: Musso Takes Second in Ferrari’s New Formula Two Car

Luigi Musso placed second in the non-championship Modena Grand Prix on 22 September 1957, driving the number 26 Ferrari 156 F2. The event was run in two 40-lap heats under Formula One race regulations, with the aggregate result giving victory to Jean Behra in a Maserati 250F.

Modena’s compact circuit produced a very different test from the long, fast venues that dominated the Grand Prix calendar. Musso’s result demonstrated the promise of Ferrari’s smaller-engined car against established Formula One machinery, even though no World Championship points were available.

The 156 F2 was built for the 1.5-litre Formula Two regulations that came into force in 1957. Its front-mounted Dino V6, named in memory of Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari, introduced an engine family that became central to Ferrari’s single-seater development and ultimately influenced its later championship cars.

Italian-born Luigi Musso rose through sports-car and Grand Prix racing with Maserati before becoming a Ferrari works driver. His speed made him one of Italy’s foremost competitors of the period, and his second place at Modena connected his career with an important formative stage in Ferrari’s Dino programme.