Pitlane Picnic

We are very proud, this month, to be the first magazine to bring you a test drive of the rare Lancia D50 – in this case, one of the four cars ­exactingly recreated from original factory drivetrains. Complementing this rare insight into one of history’s most ­identifiable Grand Prix cars is a fascinating look into the mysterious final days of one of the D50’s most loved and noted pilotos, Alberto Ascari. During the ’50s, Ascari was quintessential hero ­material – young Italian boys, including one named Mario Andretti, dreamed of growing up to one day be like Ascari.

Interestingly, while it is not always well known, even young Alberto himself dreamed of growing up to be a racecar driver like the great Ascari; in his case, it was his famous father Antonio.