We haven’t sent you to YouTube for some time now, but feel that this clip, for those who may not yet have seen it, will prove quite worth the effort, as it is both enlightening and educational. For many years, companies that were involved in the sport for commercial or technical reasons would produce films to tout that involvement and their achievements, and it is thanks to Shell Oil that we can here review the 1955 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.
Running just over 30 minutes, it takes us from the closing off of the quiet rural roads to make the circuit through pre-race activities, showing all the classic views of the original long circuit before presenting the Grand Prix itself where Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss lead the way in their Mercedes-Benz W196s.
We are given up close and personal looks at the drivers and their cars, with the commentary helpfully pointing out relevancies that might otherwise be overlooked. Mercedes, Maserati and Ferrari are the featured players, and as you will see, this was a more relaxed era for Grand Prix racing’s World Championship. So sit back, pop a cork and take a visit into our sport’s glorious past.
