Formula 1 turns 75: in 1950, Silverstone hosted the first Grand Prix
May 13, 1950 is a pivotal date in the history of motorsport: at 4:00 PM, on the Silverstone circuit, the first Grand Prix of the Formula 1 World Championship took off. From that moment, the era of the category that would become the pinnacle of global motorsport officially began.
The first Grand Prix in the history of Formula 1
Contrary to what happens today, the inaugural race took place on a Saturday and was also recognized as the European Grand Prix. Among the teams that took part – Maserati, Talbot-Lago, and the two British teams ERA and Alta – Alfa Romeo dominated the scene uncontested, with a top-tier lineup. Behind the wheel of the famous “Alfettes” were Juan Manuel Fangio, Luigi Fagioli, and Nino Farina.
Interestingly, Ferrari did not participate in the inaugural race. Enzo Ferrari declined the invitation for economic and technical reasons, deeming the organizers’ offer unsatisfactory. The team was also still perfecting its car to make it capable of challenging the Alfa Romeo cars. The official debut in the world of F1 didn’t take long, as Ferrari made its first appearance at the following race, the Monaco Grand Prix.
In front of around 200,000 spectators and the British royal family, Nino Farina wrote his name in the history books, securing pole position, the fastest lap, and the victory, thus achieving the first hat-trick in Formula 1 history. The Turin-born driver completed the feat at the end of the season, winning the World Championship ahead of teammates Fangio and Fagioli.
Photo: F1
