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It was Peter Collins.
Standings before the Italian GP of 1956:
1. Fangio 27
2. Collins 22
3. Behra 22
4. Moss 18
The start of the race was highlighted by team mates Musso and Castellotti duelling for the lead as, despite pit signals, both were driving as in opposing teams. For 4 laps this continued but then at the half-lap on lap 5, they both dived into the pits with their tyres in shreds. Throughout this opening flurry Fangio, Moss, Collins and Schell were just behind constantly changing positions. This was now the battle for the lead which, in the main, developed into a straight fight between Moss and Schell, Fangio and Collins sitting it out behind. After 11 laps, though, Collins had to drop out for a new tyre leaving the other three to carry on with Schell, more often than not, in the lead. The three leaders continued to stay as close as ever with Behra, now having moved up to 4th place, some way behind but ahead of Musso, Maglioli, Collins, Flockhart and Godia. Suddenly on lap 19 Fangio drew into the pits with a broken steering arm. After a lengthy stop Castellotti took over the car with Fangio's Championship hopes beginning to fade. At about this time a shower made the circuit wet and Moss began pulling away from Schell. By half-distance the lead had increased to 13 seconds with Musso now in third place following Behra's retirement on lap 23. On lap 28 Schell stopped to refuel which let Musso into second place but on lap 30 the Italian stopped for a tyre check. Everyone expected Fangio to take over but Musso insisted on continuing. Now Collins passed Schell and then on lap 32 the Vanwall came to a halt with transmission trouble, the driver soaked in oil. This left Moss way out in front ahead of Musso, Collins, Flockhart, behra, now driving Maglioli's car, and Godia. Three laps later Collins came in for a tyre check and was now in with a real chance of taking the Championship. Bot no!--instead he produced one of the finest acts of sportsmanship ever seen in motor racing--he handed his car over to Fangio. With the leading positions so well spaced out it looked as if the race would now run to its conclusion without further incident but on lap 42 Behra, after passing Flockhart, retired a second time, on this occasion with a broken steering box. Then on lap 45 Moss ran out of fuel but as he was coasting to a halt Piotti, in seventh place, tucked in behind his team-leader and pushed him back to the pits to refuel. Moss was away again in a flash but Musso had gone by and Fangio was getting closer. Musso's lead lasted little more than a lap, however, as on lap 47 his steering arm broke just as he was leaving the banking and he came to a halt in front of the pits. Moss, meanwhile, was setting fastest lap in his effort to keep Fangio at bay and despite having to ease off on the final lap with an almost bald tyre he went on to win by 5.7 seconds. Fangio, though, was the World Champion.
1. Stirling Moss - (9 points, includes point for fastest lap)
2. Peter Collins/J.M.Fangio - (both drivers 3 points for shared drive)
3. Ron Flockhart - (4 points)
4. Francesco Godia - (3 points)
5. Jack Fairman - (2 points)
6. Luigi Piotti
7. Emmanuel de Graffenried
8. J.M.Fangio/E.Castellotti
9. Andre Simon
10.Gerino Gerini
11.Roy Salvadori
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