The Beginning of the Magic – the first season in Formula 1

The Beginning of the Magic – the first season in Formula 1

In 2020, Formula 1 duly honored its 70th anniversary. The climax came on August 9th during the race at the Great Britain's Silverstone circuit. And more specifically, in the second consecutive race weekend at the first track in the history of the sport. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the then championship had an atypical format and such a double weekend in the same country was no exception. Either way, F1's 70th anniversary has become a highlight throughout 2020. But how does it all begin?

Before 1950, the FIA organized the first ever Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship. Naturally, the format is very different from the one we know in the 21st century. There are several reasons. There are a lot more teams and a lot less competitions. 30 teams are fighting for the title, and among them there are even teams from Switzerland, Argentina and Ireland. On the other hand, there are only 7 races. But not all of them in the form of F1.

To the 6 Grands Prix in Europe, the FIA also adds the Indianapolis 500 in the USA, which is known to this day. A race on another continent, with different cars, tires unknown to Europeans and only American drivers. None of the pilots who ride in Europe travel to the States. Logically, this race did not make a major contribution to determining the first world champion in Formula 1.

The remaining 6 races are held at Silverstone, Monaco, Bregmarten, Spa, Reims and Monza. The same team wins each of them. But it's not Ferrari or Mercedes or any of the leading teams at the moment. Alfa Romeo triumphed in each of the six races. Pole position and fastest lap are also invariably the possession of the Italians.

Although a total of 6 people drive for Alfa Romeo, the battle for the debut title in Formula 1 is between two of them. Italian Giuseppe Farina and Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio. The two alternate their victories. Farina won starts 1, 4 and 7, while Fangio had 2, 5 and 6 to go.

Like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, they decide everything in the last race. At Monza, the Italian Luigi Fagioli also has a shot at the title. After a breakdown in Fangio's car and a third place for Fagioli, the title remained in the hands of the winner in Italy, Giuseppe Farina. Years later, his Argentinian team-mate dominated the sport, but Giuseppe himself goes down in history as the first world champion