Mercedes W196 and the Third Car
I had two random questions about the history of F1 regulations that I was hoping you guys could help me answer:
1.) First was about the Mercedes W196 "Type Monza" that raced in the mid-50's. As far as I know it was the only car to ever race in F1 with enclosed wheels. I was wondering if anyone knows whether or not there ever were other F1 cars with enclosed wheels. More importantly, I was wondering if anyone knew when open-wheeled cars became mandatory in F1. I had always assumed that open-wheeled cars was one of the basic regulations that had always existed in F1, but the W196 seems to contradict this.
2.) My second question was about third cars in F1. I know a few years ago Ferrari was talking about bringing third car entries back into F1. I was wondering when exactly third cars were banned in the first place. Like what year? I was also wondering what the deal with third cars was when they were legal. Were they eligible for manufacturers points or not? And if so, why didn't more teams enter them? Were teams limited to three cars or could they enter as many as they wanted (that managed to qualify of course)?
I've looked everywhere I could on the internet and here in the States books on F1 history are scarce. Any help would be great. Thanks.