Fangio Wins Swiss GP at Bremgarten
The 1951 Formula 1 World Championship started in late May at the Bremgarten circuit in Switzerland. Ferrari had tasted success in non-championship races, but only when Alfa-Romeo were not present. At Bremgarten Alfa drivers occupied four of the first five grid slots with Luigi Villoresi the only interloper, lining up third in his Ferrari 375.
Juan-Manuel Fangio led from his Alfa team-mate and defending champion Giuseppe Farina on a wet track. It was in just such conditions that the great Achille Varzi had lost his life in an Alfa at Bremgarten three years previously. The two Alfa drivers were on completely different strategies. Fangio pitted while Farina tried to stay out and nurse his tyres.
After emerging behind Farina it wasn’t long before Fangio regained first position and went on to record a comfortable victory. Piero Taruffi also disposed of the struggling Farina, as the Ferrari driver went from sixth on the grid to second by the finish. Farina was left to trail home a distant third.
The second round of the season was the Indianapolis 500, held three days after the Swiss Grand Prix. As in 1950 none of the Formula 1 regulars made the trip and victory went to Lee Wallard. In second was Mike Nazaruk and in third the shared car of Manny Ayulo and Jack McGrath. All of the top three cars were Kurtis-Kraft Offenhausers.
Farina Victorious for Alfa at Spa-Francorchamps
It was back to Europe for the next race, the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Once again it was Fangio on pole, ahead of Farina and Villoresi. After a frenetic start Fangio led the race from Farina but his race turned into a disaster when a troublesome wheel cost him 15 minutes at a pit stop. Farina went on to win the race with Alberto Ascari’s Ferrari second and Villoresi third. The next five cars to finish were all Talbot-Lagos. Fangio could do no better than ninth, four laps behind his team-mates winning car.
Fagioli and Fangio Share French GP Victory
Fangio made it a hat-trick of pole positions at the 1951 French Grand Prix, with Farina and Ascari alongside him. Alfa had entered a car for the experienced Luigi Fagioli, while Ferrari gave one of their machines to Jose Froilan Gonzalez.
Ascari was the early leader of the race, chased by Fangio. Both men were to strike trouble and retire. Gonzalez was brought into the pits and handed his car over to Ascari. Fagioli did likewise, letting Fangio take over his Alfa. Farina was leading until magneto problems dropped him back. At the chequered flag it was the Fagioli/Fangio Alfa ahead with the Gonzalez/Ascari Ferrari second. Villoresi was third for Ferrari with Farina nursing his car home in sixth.
The review of the 1951 Formula 1 season continues here.
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