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Ferrari 156 'Sharknose' Formula 1 - almost the first mid-engined monoposto from Maranello

Name: Ferrari 156 1961
Brand: Ferrari

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Created on October 19, 2011

Text:

Daniel Reinhard

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

Jan Biekens

Bruno von Rotz

Philip Leemans

Archiv

Daniel Reinhard

Jan Biekens

Bruno von Rotz

Philip Leemans

Archiv

Ferrari 156 (1961 - Count Berghe von Trips in the mid-engined Monoposto at Monza in 1961

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Ferrari 156 (1961) - Phil Hill at the wheel of the Sharknose

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Ferrari 156 (1961) - Wolfgang von Trips wins the 1961 British GP, Phil Hill and Richie Ginther finish second and third

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Ferrari 156 (1961) - Phil Hill ahead of Richie Ginther at the 1961 British Grand Prix

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Ferrari 156 (1961) - Winner W. von Trips at the 1961 British Grand Prix

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Ferrari 156 from 1961 - Sharknose - Replica by Chris Rea for the movie La Passione

Bild von Partner Porsche AMAG Mai Foto-Galerie 2026

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Ferrari 156 from 1961 - Sharknose - Recreation by Jan Biekens

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Ferrari 156 V6 (1961) - at the Solitude Revival 2011

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Ferrari 156 V6 (1961) - at the Solitude Revival 2011 - Count Berghe von Trips drove this type of vehicle

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Summary

1960 was also the last year for Ferrari with the front-engined 246 Dino. In 1961, the Scuderia started for the first time with a mid-engined monoposto, the Type 156, known under the nickname "Sharknose" (Hainase). This report goes into the history and technology of the vehicle and, in addition to the two best-known copies of the destroyed originals, also shows a picture of Graf Berghe von Trips from 1961.

This article contains the following chapters

In use for two years
World champion in 1961
All original cars destroyed
The replica by Chris Rea
The recreation of Jan Biekens
Hardly known anymore - Olivier Gendebien
Light, low-slung, successful
Sports car as a derivative

Estimated reading time: 3min

Preview (beginning of the article)

1960 was also the last year for Ferrari with the front-engined 246 Dino. In 1961, the Scuderia started for the first time with a mid-engined monoposto, the Type 156, known under the nickname "Sharknose" (Hainase). The cars were driven by Phil Hill, Graf Berghe von Trips, Riccardo Rodriguez, Gian Carlo Baghetti, Lorenzo Bandini, Richie Ginther, Innes Ireland, Ludovico Scarfiotti, Willy Mairesse, John Surtees and Olivier Gendebien in the two years of racing in 1961/62. The regulations at the time stipulated a 1.5-liter engine. The cars were significantly smaller and lighter than their predecessors, not only in terms of performance but also visually.

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