1952 F1 Season
Formula 1 World Championship Dominated by Alberto Ascari
The World Championship was run to Formula 2 regulations in 1952. The withdrawal of Alfa Romeo at the end of the previous season meant that only Ferrari had competitive cars, so the new formula was adopted in the hope of attracting more competitors. Defending champion Juan-Manuel Fangio found himself without a drive after Alfa's withdrawal. He eventually signed for BRM but suffered an accident at a race in Italy which broke his neck and sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Taruffi Wins for Ferrari with Ascari Absent
At the opening race in Argentina the Ferrari works cars were driven by Giuseppe Farina, Piero Taruffi and Andre Simon. Luigi Villoresi was recovering from a road accident and Alberto Ascari was competing at Indianapolis. The Maserati factory team wouldn’t appear until late in the season meaning that Ferrari’s main opposition came from the French Gordini team.
Farina was quickest in qualifying, with Taruffi second and the Gordini driven by Robert Manzon third. Farina had a frustrating race. He led, only to retire, after which he took over Simon’s car. That Ferrari also retired, leaving Taruffi to win for the Maranello concern. Rudi Fisher finished second in a privately entered Ferrari 500 while Jean Behra was the best non-Ferrari driver, third in a Gordini.
Ascari and Ferrari Struggle at Indy 500
The Indianapolis 500 was a round of the World Championship in 1952. The race had previously been ignored by the European Formula 1 teams but Ferrari decided to send a car across for Ascari. It was a disappointing trip, with Ascari qualifying 19th and retiring before quarter distance. Victory went to Troy Ruttman, followed by Jim Rathmann in second and Sam Hanks third. Bill Vukovich had led until nine laps from the finish when he crashed out.
Ascari Wins Belgian GP and French GP
Back in Europe the next race on the calendar was the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Ferrari dominated qualifying, with Ascari, Farina and Taruffi on the front row. The track was wet at the start and Jean Behra made a quick getaway to take the lead. The Frenchman had to relinquish his position to the superior Ferrari of Ascari, with Farina also making it past the Gordini. Taruffi had made a poor start but, on lap 13, he also passed Behra. A short time later Taruffi spun his Ferrari, collecting Behra in the process and eliminating both of them from the race. At the flag it was Ascari ahead of Farina, with Manzon third.
The French Grand Prix was held at Rouen for the first time in 1952, and the race was a walkover for Ferrari. Ascari claimed pole with Farina second and Taruffi third. In the race they finished in the same order. Manzon was again the best of the rest, coming home fourth in his Gordini.
1952 Formula 1 season review continues here.
Ferrari 500
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