[u] Asso di Fiori [/u]
The small Italian privateer have been around for a while now, and this has been their best showing by far. Despite the team still being unconcerned about trivial things such as getting entries in on time, Onofre Marimón has been on spectacular form all season. A big result has been in the pipeline for the last couple of seasons, and when it did arrive in the form of a triumphant maiden win for team and driver at the Italian Grand Prix of all places, it was a real crowd-pleaser and raised many a smile in the paddock. However, this may prove to be a curse – can the team ever live up to this result? Will the top teams tempt Marimón to stray from home, now with maiden win in tow? Fifth in the WEC may be an immense achievement, but it is highly likely the team will never reach these heights again.

[u] Ecurie Voeckler [/u]
Another outfit who have been sniffing about a good result for a while now, Ecurie Voeckler also wildly impressed this year. Continuing the partnership with Gordini and André Simon proved to be a wise decision, Simon consistently placing the car in the right half of the field, and coming home for two superb second places. Reliability and luck ruined the chance of more, but it’s possibly the beginning of something more for the family-run Voeckler squad. With the works Gordini squad deciding they’ve had their fill of Formula One, the rights to the Type 56 have fallen to Voeckler. Although the car will be three years old, its plenty of life in it yet, and may allow Voeckler to secure that elusive first victory.

[u] Rob Walker Racing [/u]
With Lotus taking a year out to perfect the design of the Lotus 12, this was always going to be a filler year for the marque. Granted, semi-works status isn’t a bad gig for your maiden season, but Rob Walker Racing was consigned to a season of relative anonymity. Not enough pace to get near the front runners but enough to pick up minor points was the story of most of the season, with a sole second place in Italy courtesy of B. Bira the sole highlight of a mediocre season. Troy Ruttmann’s umpteenth comeback differed from the rest by actually being competitive, but Rob Walker will need more than half-campaigns from has-beens if they want to improve – especially if they fail to secure a Lotus 12.

[u] Vanderwell Products Ltd. [/u]
Arguably the most consistent team on the grid, it was a season of improved form for the Vanwall squad. In the safe hands of Duncan Hamilton, the Vanwall VW57 proved a tidy little car on the way to eighth in the WCC, with further results denied by reliability issues. However, if the team produces another conservative car for 1958, midfield could be all the marque achieves in the sport. It’s all or nothing for Vanwall in 1958, and here’s hoping the only way is up.

[u] Scuderia Centro Sud [/u]
Fresh of the back of scoring points in 1956, Guglielmo Dei’s bunch have done it again. With 1957 machinery courtesy of O.S.C.A., the team was the perfect ground for drivers young and old to prove their worth to the top teams. The team fulfilled its aim in that regard, with Fangio moving to O.S.C.A. and Ferrari showing interest in the impressive Masten Gregory. Jean Behra was less impressive, however, and I can’t help but feel once Gregory does find out the grass is greener in the other half of the grid, the team will slowly cease to exist. Time will tell, but for now, two points is a strong showing.