The Race of Two Worlds (Trofeo dei Due Mondi in Italian) was first held in 1957, as an attempt for the European and American race cars to compete on the same track. Even though the Indianapolis 500 had been part of the World Championship, not many European entries were seen there. After 1955, the Monza circuit had been reconfigured and new concrete oval banking erected in an image of Indy 500. The race was run under the Indianapolis 500 regulations and the first edition was dominated by American entries. The unique Maserati 420M/58 was to be driven by a former works driver Stirling Moss. His opposition for the race was made up mainly of American Indy racers with three Ferraris, a pair of Jaguar D-Types and the unique Lister–Jaguar.
