Alfa Romeo Become The First Formula Formula 1 Champion 70 Years Ago
70 Years ago Alfa Romeo became the first Formula 1 champion manufacturer with driver Nino Farini. The company has been deeply rooted within Formula 1 and motorsport since it’s launch.
The first Grand Prix was held on 13 May 1950 at Silverstone in England. It was very different to today. Optional helmets, no television and spectators on foot alongside the track. The contrast is stark, with today’s audience worldwide of 400 million. One thing is common, the Alfa Romeo team is participating.
But things were quite different, having just emerged from the Second World War. There wasn’t so much money and there weren’t huge facilities at the circuits. Many of which in the UK were old wartime airfields. Silverstone was no exception.
Alfa didn’t produce a new car for the event, they restored the pre-war racer, the Alfetta 158. They luckily escaped the war, being hidden away carefully by Alfa enthusiasts. Milan was occupied in 1943 and the few 158s were sitting in the Portello factory.
It was a group of Alfa Romeo technicians and labourers who decided that the cars must be removed. The group managed to get the cars away from the factory in trucks. Of the passionate Alfa enthusiasts who volunteered to care for one was Achille Castoldi. The 1940 world water speed record holder, who used a 158 engine in his boat.
The convoy narrowly escaped confiscation. Just before departing a patrol appeared with their weapons. Luckily the Alfa test driver Pietro Bonini was Swiss. He had lived in Berlin for some years and spoke perfect German. With a safe conduct authorisation he managed to convince the commander which allowed them to leave.
This event and the hiding of the 158s in barns behind false walls and stacks of logs enabled Alfa to compete and win.
The Alfetta 158
The Alfetta from 1938 was a technological marvel. With a straight 8-cylinder engine, a single-stage compressor and a triple-body carburettor it had spectacular performance. It was developed by the head of the design department Gioacchino Colombo. Gioacchino was determined to make it powerful. Also having instant throttle response and reliable. A double overhead camshaft engine with extensive use of light alloys. Elektron used for the engine block and nickel-chromium steel for the crankshaft. The engine weight was as low as 165kg.
Alfa Romeo had mounted the gearbox in the rear with, with the differential. This was the famous transaxle, which took up less space and providing an optimal distribution of weight between the two axles. This was something Alfa would go on to use in their road cars.
Some of these pre-ear innovations would stand the test of time and would be continue to be used today.
The Birth Of F1
The British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1950 was the first Grand prix in a season of eight races. this constituted the first FIA that constituted the first FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Alfa Romeo 158s had the first four places on the grid at the start. Giuseppe “Nino” Farina got the pole position, the fastest lap and the win. Second was Luigi Fagioli and third Reg Parnell. Alfa Romeo secured all three podium positions and secured a significant place in history. The season belonging to Alfa by securing becoming the first Formula 1 champion.
Alfa repeated this in 1951 with Juan Manuel Fangio in the Alfetta 159. But that’s the beginning of another story.
If you like motorsport history, have a look at the 50th anniversary of Porsche winning at Le Mans.
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Thanks to Alfa Romeo for the Images.