By Roy Smith

Mercedes and Benz Racing: The First 55 Years of the Rennabteilung

Step into the thrilling world of Mercedes-Benz racing, where innovation, speed, and daring drivers shaped motorsport history. Mercedes and Benz Racing unveils the extraordinary story of the Rennabteilung – the legendary Mercedes-Benz racing department – from the birth of motor racing in the early 1900s to Daimler-Benz's dramatic withdrawal from Grand Prix and sports car competition in 1955.

This superb photo-rich volume sets out to show the first 55 years of trials and tribulations of Mercedes and Benz racing, extensively illustrated throughout with period images, revealing the victories and setbacks, and the outside influences that impacted on the Rennabteilung

Historic races

Long-distance events were popular, and an efficient way to demonstrate the prowess of the new Benz cars. We see here an event that was over 120.04 miles (193.2km) from Frankfurt to Cologne, in 1899. The winner Fritz Held at the tiller (no steering wheel yet) with co-driver Hans Thum in an 8hp Benz took a class victory and the grand gold medal.

From Daimler and Benz and the birth of the Mercedes marque, and its withdrawal from Grand Prix and Sports car racing, this sweeping history spans the golden era of motorsport. Encompassing Grands Prix, wooden board racing, and endurance epics like the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, and Carrera Pan Americana to record-breaking hill climbs and land speed challenges across Europe, the USA, and South America.

Famous faces

Meet the fearless pioneers who pushed the limits of engineering and courage – Emil Jellinek, Ferdinand Porsche, Camille Jenatzy, Christian Lautenschlager, Otto Salzer, Ralph de Palma, Barney Oldfield, Alfred Neubauer, Manfred von Brauchitsch, Rudolf Caracciola, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, Juan Fango, Stirling Moss … just a few of the names that feature across Mercedes-Benz' long racing history.

Prodigious pace

Rapid refuelling for the #106 300 SLR of Titterington and Fitch. Irishman Titterington, who was drafted into the Mercedes team for this race by Neubauer, drove for ten laps; Fitch took over for three laps. They would eventually finish in fourth place, 11m behind the winning 300 SLR of Moss/Collins. Featuring prominently, of course, are the mighty cars themselves, such as the Gordon Bennett racers, Blitzen Benz, the 1914 Supercharged Mercedes … plus W25, W125, W154, W196, and 300SL – mixed with those recognisable ones that it would be churlish to leave out! The more than 1200+ evocative period images, many of which have never been published, feature sources including the Porsche and Audi archives, with some outstanding images supporting the narrative, and the many dramatic photographs retrieved from the depths of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives.

A stunning volume

Packed with over 1,200 rare and evocative period images, many published here for the first time, this nearly 600-page collector's edition is a treasure trove for motorsport enthusiasts. With its engaging storytelling and immersive format, Mercedes and Benz Racing is more than a book – it's a high-octane journey through one of the most exhilarating chapters in automotive history, capturing the passion, ambition, and relentless pursuit of speed that defined Mercedes-Benz as a true racing powerhouse.

A wonderful appreciation of the first era of racing life of what became one of the most impressive racing teams of all time, and a superb addition to any automotive enthusiast's library.

• A unique and deeply researched study of Mercedes and Benz important role in 55 years of motor sport
• 1200+ period images, many never published before
• Written with the full co-operation of Mercedes-Benz and the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives