"Should be in the DVD library of anyone who considers themselves a Formula One fan"Motorsport
"The footage is fantastic......brilliant stuff" Octane
"A vital addition to any F1 history fanatic's collection" Autosport
After an absence of 15 years, the mighty Silver Arrows of Mercedes-Benz returned to Grand Prix in 1954 with one of the fastest and most technologically-advanced racing cars ever seen.
The stunning film Pioneers of Progress charts the story of the German giant’s glorious return to Formula One, with unique access to the team and manufacturer’s factories. The evocative black and white footage provides a rare chance to see the 2½-litre, 260 horsepower W196 in action on the great racetracks of the era.
Mercedes returned to GP racing at the fourth round of the 1954 season, the French Grand Prix at Reims, and immediately dominated. We enjoy thrilling archive footage from that event, and the remaining five races including Silverstone, Monza and the Nurburgring.
We see Mercedes stars Juan Manuel Fangio, Karl Kling, Hans Hermann and Herman Lang battling with the Ferraris of Jose Froilan Gonzales and Mike Hawthorn, the Maserati of Stirling Moss and Alberto Ascari in both the Ferrari and Lancia racing machines.
Plus, there’s the record-breaking 1954 race from the Avus circuit in Berlin, and a fascinating look at how the Mercedes-Benz 220 was built.
"This MB film covers 1954's entire F1 season. The footage is fantastic, as is the commentary and jaunty music; there's even an explanation of how hard the W154's pistons had to work, involving a drawing of the Eiffel Tower. Brilliant stuff" Octane
"Reconfigured from the original BP video library film Pioneers of Progress, this archive footage recalls the explosive impact of the German marque's return to F1 in 1954. Race action of the awesome W196, as well as behind-the-scenes factory snippets, make this a vital addition to any F1 history fanatic's collection"Autosport