STORY OF THE DAY: González opens the new formula with a podium

José Froilán González finished third in the Argentine Grand Prix at Buenos Aires on 17 January 1954, driving the number 12 Ferrari 625. The race opened the new 2.5-litre Formula One era and counted toward the World Championship, with González securing valuable points for Ferrari on home ground.

The event was disrupted by changing weather, turning tyre selection and pit decisions into decisive factors. González remained in contention through difficult conditions but could not match the Maseratis of Juan Manuel Fangio and Giuseppe Farina at the finish. His podium nevertheless gave the Argentine spectators a strong result from one of their foremost drivers.

The Ferrari 625 was developed from the successful four-cylinder Formula Two lineage associated with Aurelio Lampredi. Its naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine offered strong torque and straightforward construction, while the chassis retained the front-engined layout and tubular structure characteristic of contemporary Grand Prix cars.

González was born in Arrecifes, Argentina, and became known for his physical, forceful style and exceptional speed. He gave Ferrari its first World Championship Grand Prix victory at Silverstone in 1951 and later won Le Mans for the marque in 1954. His Buenos Aires podium joined Ferrari’s history to Argentina at the beginning of a new technical formula.