Mercedes dominated the 1955 Formula 1 world championship. The German team faced the season with an exceptional car, the W196, and a top level drivers team, with Fangio, Moss, Herrmann and Kling. Ferrari, Lancia, Maserati and Gordini were unable to tackle an exceptional Fangio, who won the championship with 40 points, ahead of teammate Moss with 23. That year Mercedes managed to dominate also in the prototype category, beating the Italian teams at the Mille Miglia with a Stirling Moss in great shape. After the successes of 1955, Mercedes retired from racing.