<< Prev Page 3 of 3 Mercedes' Max Sailer took an early lead in the race but his 18/100 only lasted six of the planned twenty laps. In his wake Peugeot lead driver Georges Boillot gave chase but his style and the added loads from his front brakes required additional tyre changes. The very efficient Mercedes was much kinder on its tyres and required only two sets of tyres for the entire race. Already passed by Lautenschlager, Boillot's Peugeot failed on the final lap. This freed the way for a spectacular 1-2-3 victory for the new Mercedes. Lautenschlager was once again the winner, leading Louis Wagner and Otto Salzer home. The fifth Mercedes had retired early with gearbox problems.
Shortly after the French Grand Prix, War spread across the continent and all racing was suspended. One of the cars had been rushed out of the country for Ralph DePalma to race in the United States. He did so with great verve, winning several races, including the 1915 Indy 500. Pressed for money, Mercedes sold several of the other Grand Prix racers to privateers after the War. Constantly updated by their owners, these were raced with great success until the late 1920s. Among the many victories scored was an outright win in the Targa Florio in the hands of Giulio Masetti.
With wins in the French Grand Prix, the Indy 500 and the Targa Florio, the 1914 Mercedes 18/100 ranks among the finest racing cars ever built. It was also the most advanced car before the War and its long career afterwards showed it was a hard act to follow. During the War one car was closely examined by one W.O. Bentley and especially the valve train of the later Bentleys was inspired by the Mercedes design. Of the six examples built, at least three are known to have survived. << Prev Page 3 of 3
Ultimatecarpage.com
> Cars by brand
> Germany
> Mercedes
Racing cars
> Pre 1950 GP
Mercedes' Max Sailer took an early lead in the race but his 18/100 only lasted six of the planned twenty laps. In his wake Peugeot lead driver Georges Boillot gave chase but his style and the added loads from his front brakes required additional tyre changes. The very efficient Mercedes was much kinder on its tyres and required only two sets of tyres for the entire race. Already passed by Lautenschlager, Boillot's Peugeot failed on the final lap. This freed the way for a spectacular 1-2-3 victory for the new Mercedes. Lautenschlager was once again the winner, leading Louis Wagner and Otto Salzer home. The fifth Mercedes had retired early with gearbox problems.