Season Summary
With the formula changing to 2.5 litres unsupercharged, Mercedes re-entered grand prix racing for the first time since the Second World War at the French Grand Prix with a streamlined single seater which Fangio and Karl Kling took to a dominating 1–2 win. Fangio's French success had come after switching from the Maserati team with whom he had won the first two Grands Prix of the season. Although the streamlined body proved unsuitable for Silverstone, Mercedes produced a more conventional body for the Nürburgring and Fangio won three of the remaining four races.
Reigning champion Alberto Ascari had a less successful switch of teams, choosing to leave Ferrari for the newly formed Lancia team. Unfortunately for him, Lancia's car, the D50, was not ready until the final World Championship race, meaning he had to sit out most of his title defence.
Points were given to top 5 finishers (8, 6, 4, 3, 2). 1 point was given for fastest lap. Only the best five of nine scores counted towards the world championship. Points for shared drives were divided equally between the drivers, regardless of who had driven more laps unless one of the drivers was deemed to have completed "insufficient distance". Drivers who shared more than one car during a race received points only for their highest finish.
Read more about this topic: 1954 Formula One Season
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