THIS year the Italian Grand Prix took the title of the Grand Prix of Europe and was held as usual at the Monza Autodromo near Milan. This event was the last in the 1956 World Championship series and for that matter the last serious Grand Prix event of the year, so everyone, with the exception of BRM and Bugatti, were out for a final win-or-bust effort, knowing that the rest of the year was available for making amends should the attempt prove disastrous.
Being open all the week the Autodromo was in full use during the days preceding the official practice, Ferrari, Maserati and Vanwall taking turns to try their cars, those from Maranello and Acton being basically unchanged since their last appearance and the Modena firm having a new model. The Scuderia Ferrari were very confident and well satisfied with their V8 cars, while Vanwall were anything but happy and Maserati were hopeful.
Jean Behra qualified his Maserati 250F in fifth at his team’s home race
