In the footsteps of Piero Taruffi

When Andrea Kimi Antonelli drove out of pit lane for the first time in today's first free practice session, not only did it mark the first appearance of an Italian driver in an official Formula 1 event for almost three years – dating back to when Antonio Giovinazzi drove the Sauber in Abu Dhabi in 2021 – it also renewed a direct link between Mercedes and Italian drivers in motor racing's blue riband category, which reached its peak right here in Monza many years ago.

In fact it was back in 1955 at the Temple of Speed that Piero Taruffi finished second in his second and last appearance for the Silver Arrows, coming home behind team-mate and world champion Juan Manuel Fangio. It was a formation finish for Mercedes at the end of the race in which the Argentinian had been totally dominant. 

For Taruffi, who had made his debut in the World Championship with the German team, finishing fourth in the previous event, the British Grand Prix at Aintree, Monza would be the last of his five Formula 1 podium finishes, from 18 starts between 1950 and 1956. His best result was a win with Ferrari in the 1952 Swiss Grand Prix, but the name Taruffi, who raced on two and four wheels since the 1930s, will always be linked to his win in the 1957 Mille Miglia, the last time this amazing race was run, bringing to an end a type of motor racing that was by then on its way out.