Fangio closes the book on Switzerland's history with F1

©TheCahierArchive

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©TheCahierArchive

On this day in 1954, Switzerland hosted its fifth and final F1 Grand Prix, an event dominated by Juan Manuel Fangio at the wheel of his Mercedes W196 Silver Arrow.

At Bremgarten near Bern, Fangio powered his way with Swiss precision to his fifth win of the season, the legend from Argentine inching closer to his second world title in F1.

Unbeknownst at the time, the race marked F1's final appearance in Switzerland.

In 1955, in the wake of the catastrophic tragedy that had taken place at Le Mans, where 82 spectators were killed by flying debris resulting from the crash of Mercedes driver Pierre Levegh, the country's government enacted a nation-wide ban on motor racing events on circuits which remains in force to this day.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.