1950 Formula 1 Season
F1 Races at Bremgarten, Spa-Francorchamps, Reims and Monza
Farina and Alfa Win Swiss GP
The Swiss Grand Prix was the fourth round of the 1950 Formula 1 World Championship. Juan-Manuel Fangio was fastest around the daunting tree-lined Bremgarten circuit in practice and claimed pole position. His Alfa team-mate Giuseppe Farina was less than a second slower, with Luigi Fagioli third in another Alfa. The second row comprised the Ferrari pair of Luigi Villoresi and Alberto Ascari.
Ascari was a threat to the Alfa team early on but retired on the fifth lap. Villoresi followed his team-mate into retirement a short time later. As had been the case at Silverstone all of the Alfa drivers had a turn at the front but Fangio once again failed to complete the distance when his electric failed. At the flag it was Farina ahead of Fagioli, with Louis Rosier third in a Talbot-Lago. Felice Bonetto drove well to finish in fifth place, driving a Maserati on his World Championship debut.
Fangio Unbeatable at Spa-Francorchamps and Reims
It was Farina’s turn to take pole at the Belgian Grand Prix, held on the majestic Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Fangio was second, having recorded the same lap time as Farina. Fagioli ensured an Alfa 1-2-3 by qualifying third.
The Alfa 158s were fast but thirsty, requiring more refuelling stops than their 4.5 litre normally aspirated competitors. At Spa, once all of the Italian cars had pitted the lead passed to Raymond Sommer’s Talbot-Lago. He became the first non-Alfa driver to lead a Grand Prix in 1950 (not including Indianapolis), although his engine failed not long after. Fangio took victory with Fagioli second and Rosier third. Farina finished fourth and set the fastest lap, gaining crucial points in the World Championship.
Fangio dominated practice at Reims for the French Grand Prix, taking pole by over a second from Farina, with Fagioli a distant third. Ferrari opted not to compete while they continued development on their new V12 engine. Farina had a frustrating race which saw him lead before developing fuel-feed problem. He fell through the field before making a recovering to third, only to retire. Fangio had no such trouble and won the race from Fagioli. In third was Peter Whitehead, driving a private Ferrari 125. The result meant that the World Championship would be decided at the final race of the season in Italy.
Farina Wins Italian GP and F1 Title
Ferrari had their new 4.5 litre normally aspirated V12 ready for Monza and a new driver. Dorino Serafini was standing in for an injured Luigi Villoresi. Alfa-Romeo also had new personnel, fielding two additional cars for their home race. The drivers were Piero Taruffi and Consalvo Sanesi. Fangio claimed pole, with Ascari second fastest in the Ferrari. Farina was third but the other title contender, Fagioli, could only qualify on the second row.
Farina and Ascari fought for the lead early on, while Fangio managed to gain a potentially crucial point for the fastest lap. Ascari was forced out with a broken axle but soon rejoined the race in Serafini’s car. Fangio, likewise, retired his own car. He took over Taruffi’s Alfa but it also broke, ending the Argentinean’s title hopes. He could have commandeered Sanesi’s car, but it had retired early on.
Farina won the race and also the World Championship. In second place was the Ascari/Serafini Ferrari while Fagioli had an uninspiring drive to third. The inaugural Formula 1 World Championship had been a success and 1951 looked like being every better. As the 1950 season ended the big question was whether anyone would be able to challenge the dominance of Alfa.
Alfa-Romeo F1 driver Juan-Manuel Fangio
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