The Ferrari 553, introduced in 1953, was initially used in Formula 2, driven by Umberto Maglioli and Piero Carini. Its debut race was at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 13, 1953. In 1954, the car transitioned to Formula 1, becoming the 553 F1, aligning with the World Championship's return to F1 specifications. Over two seasons, the 553 competed in six World Championship Grands Prix, with ten individual entries. Its most notable achievement was Mike Hawthorn's win at the 1954 Spanish Grand Prix. The car was powered by a Lampredi inline-four engine, producing 260 PS at 7200 rpm from a 2497.56 cc capacity. Due to its unique rounded bodywork and air intake, it earned the nickname "Squalo," which means "Shark" in Italian.