Racing
The 250 S had its first outing at the 1952 Mille Miglia[6], as did several Mercedes-Benz W194 300 SL entered by the factory that had put some effort into training runs. Entered by Scuderia Ferrari, the 205 S was driven by Giovanni Bracco and Alfonso Rolfo.[11] After a magnificent performance on the Futa and Raticosa passes, they managed to pass the leading Mercedes of Karl Kling to finish first overall, continuing Ferrari's dominance in this road marathon.[4][12]
Bracco did enter the 1952 Monaco Grand Prix which was run for sports cars in that year, but his Scuderia Guastalla Ferrari 225 S was the only one to DNF while others of that type finished 1-5.
Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi were chosen by Scuderia Ferrari to compete in the 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 'Sport 3.0' category. The 250 S, driven by Ascari, recorded the fastest race lap at 4min 40.5sec at an average speed of 173.16 km/h, nearly matching the fastest practice lap set by Hermann Lang, the eventual Mercedes 1-2 race winner. The Ferrari retired with a broken clutch.[12][13]
At the 1952 Circuito di Senigallia race, the 250 S was entered in the 'Sport +2.0' class. Luigi Villoresi managed a third place overall. Later the same year, at the Coppa Acerbo for sports cars, renamed as the 12 Hours of Pescara, yielded another success for Ferrari.[14] Giovanni Bracco and Paolo Marzotto won the race in the 250 S. The 1952 Carrera Panamericana race was contested by Giovanni Bracco and Gino Bronzoni duo. Their car did not finish the grueling marathon due to clutch and engine problems, while Mercedes won 1-2 again.
In 1953, at the 13° Giro di Sicilia (de:Giro di Sicilia 1953), Franco Cornacchia and Gino Bronzoni finished the race prematurely with a broken differential.[12]
In 1953 the 250 S was acquired by an Argentinian Roberto Bonomi. Later the same year, he had entered it in the Targa Florio (de:Targa Florio 1953) race. He finished eighth overall and, sixth in 'S 3.0' class.
The car competed in the GP Monza (de:Großer Preis von Monza 1953), entered by Scuderia Guastalla, finishing at an eighth place. Later, Bonomi entered the Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti race but to no avail. The last race of the 250 S was the 1954 Supercortemaggiore at Monza (de:1000-km-Rennen von Monza 1954). Entered by Scuderia Guastella and driven by Musitelli and Pezzoli the car did not finish the race.[12]
