1953 Season

Driver changes

Juan Manuel Fangio, the 1951 World Champion who sat out the 1952 season entirely, returns to Grand Prix racing with the Maserati works team, replacing Franco Rol. Mike Hawthorn, who made his name in several non-championship races last year while driving a privateer Cooper, earns a full works seat at Ferrari, replacing Piero Taruffi who joins the Lancia sports car racing programme. At Gordini, Harry Schell replaces Prince Bira following the team’s split with the Thai prince during 1952. Connaught, who made their championship debut halfway through last season, expand their programme and sign Roy Salvadori and Kenneth McAlpine.

Team changes

Cooper enter a works team for the first time.

Calendar

Nine rounds are scheduled between 18 January and 13 September. The Argentine Grand Prix in Buenos Aires makes its World Championship debut, becoming the first championship round held outside Europe other than the Indianapolis 500. The Dutch Grand Prix moves up from mid-August to early June, while the Swiss Grand Prix shifts from mid-May to late August. After a year at Rouen-Les-Essarts, the French Grand Prix returns to Reims-Gueux. The Spanish Grand Prix is scheduled for 26 October.

Regulation changes

As in 1952, all World Championship races except the Indianapolis 500 are run to Formula Two regulations rather than the standard Formula One formula. The Indianapolis 500 continues under the AAA Contest Board’s own rules. Points are awarded to the top five finishers, with an additional point for the driver who sets the fastest lap, regardless of finishing position. Only each driver’s four best results count towards the final standings.