The 1955 Monaco grand prix made headlines around the world when the Lancia D50 of Alberto Ascari failed to negotiate the chicane, having just inherited the lead, crashed through the straw bales and plunged into the harbour. Fortunately, Ascari survived the experience but spent the night under observation in hospital.
1955 Monaco GP Lancia D50 Ascari 26
A strange adjunct to the story involves the number 26; Ascari was highly superstitious, especially in relation to that number. His father was a professional racing driver who died on 26th July 1925 driving a grand prix car that carried the number 26 and Alberto raced with that number despite the connection to his late father. As a tall and rather rotund person, out of the car he would never have been mistaken for a grand prix driver but he had no ambition in life other than to become the world’s number one driver, a feat he achieved by winning the Formula One championship in 1952 and 1953. But superstition remained a factor in his life as he only raced wearing his lucky blue crash helmet and clothing, never allowed anyone to touch his sports bag and made a promise not to drive if a race fell on the 26th of the month. However, following practice for the Monaco grand prix he was a little concerned to find himself in the middle of the front row with a Mercedes on side that carried the number 2 while on the other was a similar car with the number 6. Even though he survived the trip into the harbour, it was to be his final race as, a few days later, he travelled to Monza to watch a friends Ferrari sports car during a practice session that fell on the 26th of the month. He never intended to drive the car but was tempted to experience a few laps despite still wearing his everyday clothes and having to borrow a helmet.After a few laps it is believed he spun the car at speed to avoid a spectator who was attempting to cross the track, rolled over and was killed. He was 36 years and 10 months old, the same age as his father when he lost his life and father and son both won 13 grand prix. He was loved and universallly admired; even opponents such as Moss, Fangio and Hawthorn paid tribute, the latter claiming Ascari was the quickest driver of them all. During his funeral, more than a million mourners filled the streets of Milan. The photograph shows Ascari behind the wheel of his Lancia during his final race.
