Gonzalez and Ferrari Defeat Alfa in British GP
The 1951 British Grand Prix was significant for two reasons. It saw the world championship debut of the much anticipated BRM, with its complex V16 engine. Two cars were entered at Silverstone, for Reg Parnell and Peter Walker. The race also brought Ferrari’s first world championship victory and the first defeat for Alfa Romeo since the inception of the championship in 1950, discounting the Indianapolis 500.
Jose Froilan Gonzalez was quickest for Ferrari in qualifying, with Alfa drivers Juan-Manuel Fangio and Giuseppe Farina next to him on the front row. In the race Felice Bonetto was the surprise early leader before being passed by Gonzalez and Fangio. Gonzalez held the lead until the tenth lap when Fangio took over at the front. The two Argentineans continued to battle until both had to pit, with Fangio bringing the thirsty Alfa in first. Alberto Ascari had retired with gearbox trouble but, despite his seniority in the Ferrari team, the Italian did not commandeer Gonzalez’s car.
After the pit stops Gonzalez led and pulled away from Fangio, finishing over 50 seconds ahead. In third place was Luigi Villoresi’s Ferrari while the impressive Bonetto finished fourth. The highest placed BRM was in fifth, driven by Parnell. The other car of Walker finished seventh. Gonzalez was interviewed in the January 2008 edition of Motor Sport magazine and recalled his maiden victory;
“At about the middle of the race, Fangio and I were quite a way ahead of the rest, and I knew he would have to stop for fuel before I did… When I finally stopped they only threw in some 20 litres. From then on I took it easier.”
Ascari and Ferrari Win at the Nurburgring and Monza
Alfa were dealt another blow in the next Grand Prix at the Nurburgring where Ascari took pole for Ferrari and went on to win the race, despite an unscheduled late pit stop. Farina had led initially for Alfa but soon dropped back, before his type 159 overheated and retired. Fangio was Ascari’s nearest challenger, albeit over half a minute behind in second. Gonzalez followed up his historic Silverstone win with a third place finish.
At the Italian Grand Prix Alfa looked to have regained the upper hand. Fangio started from pole with Farina second quickest. Farina retired early and took over Bonetto’s Alfa. Unfortunately, it suffered from a leaking fuel tank, necessitating additional pit stops. Fangio retired just before the half way mark when his engine failed. All of this meant that Ascari took victory from team-mate Gonzalez, with the Bonetto/Farina Alfa third.
Ascari and Fangio in Spanish GP Title Decider
As the teams gathered at the Pedralbes street circuit for the season-ending Spanish Grand Prix the title fight was between Fangio and Ascari. The Ferrari driver claimed pole but Fangio was alongside him in second. Ascari stayed in front until lap four when Fangio assumed the lead. While he romped to victory and his first world championship, Ascari experience tyre problems which ruined his race. At the finish he was fourth, two laps behind Fangio’s winning Alfa. Gonzalez finished second for Ferrari with Farina’s Alfa third.
Having won the first two Formula 1 World Championships Alfa announced their withdrawal at the end of 1951. Their pre-war cars had served the team well but, for 1952, the championship would be run to Formula 2 regulations. Alfa were without a suitable car, while rivals Ferrari were expected to be the class of the field.
 |
