XXIVo Gran Premio d'Italia - 1953
This was was to be the very last World Championship race staged under 2-litre rules. The field consisted of 30 cars and they were headed by Ascari and Fangio, both of whom were desperate to win in front of the fanatical Italian tifosi.
From the off there was very little difference in the lap times of the leaders, Fangio and Marimon in their Maseratis and Ascari and Farina for Ferrari. For most the first 46 laps all 4 drivers were within 20 yards of each other and the lead changed hands some 26 times. Things started to change when Marimon was forced to make a pitstop for some attention to his leaking radiator. He rejoined a lap behind the 3 leaders and for a while looked as if the result was already decided. With just 2 corners to go the timekeepers were preparing to name the finishing order as Ascari, Fangio and Farina - it was not to be.
As they entered the Porfido curve (now named Parabolica) with only a few hundred yards to go Ascari was forced wide to avoid the Connaught of Fairman. He tried to pass on the inside but lost grip and started to slide. At that moment he was clipped by Marimon and both men ended on the grass. Incredibly Fangio managed to dodge the incident and crossed the line in 1st place. His first win since 1951.
This was the 1st victory, in a world championship event, by Maserati and many of those present claimed it be the best race ever staged under the 2 litre rules. Regardless of the result Ascari was the new world Champion having finished the season some 6.5pts clear of Fangio.
Statistics
Summary| Entrants | Qualified | Started | Classified |
| 30 | 30 | 33 | 33 |
