1950 's

PIONEERS, PERIL AND THE BIRTH OF A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

75 Years of the Podium – The 1950s takes you back to Formula 1 when the World Championship was new and nobody knew what the sport would become.

Follow Fangio, Ascari, Moss, Farina and Hawthorn — but go beyond the legends. Discover rivals, privateers, unexpected podium finishers and remarkable performances that championship tables can't reveal.

Front-engined Alfa Romeos, Ferraris, Maseratis and Mercedes raced through Monaco and around Spa and the Nürburgring. Drivers shared cars, surrendered them to teammates and displayed sportsmanship almost unimaginable today.

Rediscover famous victories, meet forgotten competitors and enjoy exploring how F1's first decade unfolded one race and one podium at a time.

You know what Formula 1 became. Start with a free Race Story and discover how it began. If this extraordinary world grabs you, own the decade.

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50s stats - Grands Prix, Podium Positions, Drivers Featured

COMPLETE RACE REFERENCE

Explore every Formula 1 World Championship race covered in this decade.

1950F1 is Born: Alfa Romeo and Farina Set the Pace
Round Race Circuit / Date Laps / Distance
1 British Grand Prix Silverstone Circuit - 13 May 1950 70 Laps - 325.43 Km - 202.2 Miles
2 Monaco Grand Prix Circuit de Monaco - 21 May 1950 100 Laps - 318 Km - 197.6 Miles
3 Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis Motor Speedway - 30 May 1950 200 Laps - 804.7 Km - 500 Miles
4 Swiss Grand Prix Bremgarten Circuit - 04 Jun 1950 42 Laps - 315.6 Km - 196.2 Miles
5 Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps Circuit - 18 Jun 1950 35 Laps - 508.3 Km - 315.8 Miles
6 French Grand Prix Reims-Gueux Circuit - 02 Jul 1950 64 Laps - 500.16 Km - 310.8 Miles
7 Italian Grand Prix Autodromo Nazionale di Monza - 03 Sep 1950 80 Laps - 504 Km - 313.2 Miles
1951Fangio Rises, Alfa Battles Ferrari in a Fierce Duel
Round Race Circuit / Date Laps / Distance
1 Swiss Grand Prix Bremgarten Circuit - 27 May 1951 42 Laps - 315.6 Km - 196.2 Miles
2 Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis Motor Speedway - 30 May 1951 200 Laps - 804.7 Km - 500 Miles
3 Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps Circuit - 17 Jun 1951 36 Laps - 508.3 Km - 315.8 Miles
4 French Grand Prix Reims-Gueux Circuit - 01 Jul 1951 77 Laps - 601.8 Km - 373.9 Miles
5 British Grand Prix Silverstone Circuit - 14 Jul 1951 90 Laps - 419.1 Km - 260.4 Miles
6 German Grand Prix Nürburgring Nordschleife - 29 Jul 1951 20 Laps - 456 Km - 283.5 Miles
7 Italian Grand Prix Autodromo Nazionale di Monza - 16 Sep 1951 80 Laps - 504 Km - 313.2 Miles
8 Spanish Grand Prix Pedralbes - 28 Oct 1951 70 Laps - 391 Km - 243 Miles
1952Ascari Masters All, Ferrari Unchallenged in a Season of Supremacy
Round Race Circuit / Date Laps / Distance
1 Swiss Grand Prix Bremgarten Circuit - 18 May 1952 42 Laps - 315.6 Km - 196.2 Miles
2 Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis Motor Speedway - 30 May 1952 200 Laps - 804.7 Km - 500 Miles
3 Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps Circuit - 22 Jun 1952 36 Laps - 508.3 Km - 315.8 Miles
4 French Grand Prix Rouen-Les-Essarts Circuit - 06 Jul 1952 64 Laps - 500.2 Km - 310.8 Miles
5 British Grand Prix Silverstone Circuit - 19 Jul 1952 85 Laps - 402.3 Km - 249.9 Miles
6 German Grand Prix Nürburgring Nordschleife - 03 Aug 1952 18 Laps - 456 Km - 283.5 Miles
7 Dutch Grand Prix Zandvoort Circuit - 17 Aug 1952 90 Laps - 418 Km - 259.7 Miles
8 Italian Grand Prix Autodromo Nazionale di Monza - 07 Sep 1952 80 Laps - 504 Km - 313.2 Miles
1953Ascari Untouchable, Ferrari Flawless in a Season of Mastery
Round Race Circuit / Date Laps / Distance
1 Argentine Grand Prix Autódromo Juan y Oscar Gálvez - 18 Jan 1953 97 Laps - 379.5 Km - 235.8 Miles
2 Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis Motor Speedway - 30 May 1953 200 Laps - 804.7 Km - 500 Miles
3 Dutch Grand Prix Zandvoort Circuit - 07 Jun 1953 90 Laps - 418 Km - 259.7 Miles
4 Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps Circuit - 21 Jun 1953 36 Laps - 508.3 Km - 315.8 Miles
5 French Grand Prix Reims-Gueux Circuit - 05 Jul 1953 60 Laps - 500.8 Km - 311.2 Miles
6 British Grand Prix Silverstone Circuit - 18 Jul 1953 90 Laps - 419.1 Km - 260.4 Miles
7 German Grand Prix Nürburgring Nordschleife - 02 Aug 1953 18 Laps - 456 Km - 283.5 Miles
8 Swiss Grand Prix Bremgarten Circuit - 23 Aug 1953 42 Laps - 315.6 Km - 196.2 Miles
1954Fangio Shines Bright as Mercedes Makes Triumphant F1 Return
Round Race Circuit / Date Laps / Distance
1 Argentine Grand Prix Autódromo Juan y Óscar Gálvez - 17 Jan 1954 87 Laps - 386.7 Km - 240.3 Miles
2 Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis Motor Speedway - 31 May 1954 200 Laps - 804.7 Km - 500 Miles
3 Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps Circuit - 20 Jun 1954 36 Laps - 508.3 Km - 315.8 Miles
4 French Grand Prix Reims-Gueux Circuit - 04 Jul 1954 61 Laps - 507.1 Km - 315.1 Miles
5 British Grand Prix Silverstone Circuit - 17 Jul 1954 90 Laps - 419.1 Km - 260.4 Miles
6 German Grand Prix Nürburgring Nordschleife - 01 Aug 1954 22 Laps - 508.3 Km - 315.8 Miles
7 Swiss Grand Prix Bremgarten Circuit - 22 Aug 1954 66 Laps - 462 Km - 287.1 Miles
8 Italian Grand Prix Autodromo Nazionale di Monza - 05 Sep 1954 80 Laps - 504 Km - 313.2 Miles
9 Spanish Grand Prix Pedralbes Street Circuit - 24 Oct 1954 80 Laps - 505.3 Km - 314.1 Miles
1955Fangio Dominates Again. Mercedes Unstoppable Amid Triumph and Tragedy
Round Race Circuit / Date Laps / Distance
1 Argentine Grand Prix Autódromo 17 de Octubre - 16 Jan 1955 96 Laps - 381.9 Km - 237.3 Miles
2 Monaco Grand Prix Monte Carlo’s Circuit de Monaco - 22 May 1955 100 Laps - 318.1 Km - 197.6 Miles
3 Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis Motor Speedway - 30 May 1955 200 Laps - 804.7 Km - 500 Miles
4 Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps Circuit - 05 Jun 1955 36 Laps - 508.3 Km - 315.8 Miles
5 Dutch Grand Prix Zandvoort Circuit - 19 Jun 1955 100 Laps - 418 Km - 259.7 Miles
6 British Grand Prix Aintree Circuit - 16 Jul 1955 90 Laps - 419.1 Km - 260.4 Miles
7 Italian Grand Prix Autodromo Nazionale di Monza - 11 Sep 1955 50 Laps - 504 Km - 313.2 Miles
1956Fangio Clinches Title, Ferrari Prevails in Tense Championship Fight
Round Race Circuit / Date Laps / Distance
1 Argentine Grand Prix Autódromo 17 de Octubre - 22 Jan 1956 96 Laps - 381.9 Km - 237.3 Miles
2 Monaco Grand Prix Monte Carlo’s Circuit de Monaco - 13 May 1956 100 Laps - 318.1 Km - 197.6 Miles
3 Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis Motor Speedway - 30 May 1956 200 Laps - 804.7 Km - 500 Miles
4 Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps Circuit - 03 Jun 1956 36 Laps - 508.3 Km - 315.8 Miles
5 French Grand Prix Reims-Gueux Circuit - 01 Jul 1956 61 Laps - 506.4 Km - 314.7 Miles
6 British Grand Prix Silverstone Circuit - 14 Jul 1956 101 Laps - 475.3 Km - 295.3 Miles
7 German Grand Prix Nürburgring Nordschleife - 05 Aug 1956 22 Laps - 501.8 Km - 311.8 Miles
8 Italian Grand Prix Autodromo Nazionale di Monza - 02 Sep 1956 50 Laps - 500 Km - 310.7 Miles
1957Fangio’s Greatest Drive Seals Title, Maserati Roars with Glory
Round Race Circuit / Date Laps / Distance
1 Argentine Grand Prix Autódromo 17 de Octubre - 13 Jan 1957 100 Laps - 400 Km - 248.5 Miles
2 Monaco Grand Prix Monte Carlo’s Circuit de Monaco - 19 May 1957 105 Laps - 318.1 Km - 197.6 Miles
3 Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis Motor Speedway - 30 May 1957 200 Laps - 804.7 Km - 500 Miles
4 French Grand Prix Rouen-les-Essarts - 07 Jul 1957 77 Laps - 503.7 Km - 313 Miles
5 British Grand Prix Aintree Circuit - 20 Jul 1957 90 Laps - 419.1 Km - 260.4 Miles
6 German Grand Prix Nürburgring Nordschleife - 04 Aug 1957 22 Laps - 501.8 Km - 311.8 Miles
7 Pescara Grand Prix Italian country roads - 18 Aug 1957 18 Laps - 468 Km - 290.8 Miles
8 Italian Grand Prix Autodromo Nazionale di Monza - 08 Sep 1957 87 Laps - 504 Km - 313.2 Miles
1958Hawthorn Takes Title, Tragedy and Triumph Shape F1’s Future
Round Race Circuit / Date Laps / Distance
1 Argentine Grand Prix Autódromo Juan y Oscar Gálvez - 19 Jan 1958 80 Laps - 381.6 Km - 237.1 Miles
2 Monaco Grand Prix Monte Carlo’s Circuit de Monaco - 18 May 1958 100 Laps - 314.5 Km - 195.4 Miles
3 Dutch Grand Prix Zandvoort Circuit - 26 May 1958 75 Laps - 316.9 Km - 197 Miles
4 Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis Motor Speedway - 30 May 1958 55 Laps - 4.02336 Km - 2.5 Miles
5 Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps Circuit - 15 Jun 1958 24 Laps - 339.2 Km - 210.8 Miles
6 French Grand Prix Reims-Gueux Circuit - 06 Jul 1958 50 Laps - 423 Km - 262.9 Miles
7 British Grand Prix Silverstone Circuit - 19 Jul 1958 75 Laps - 396.9 Km - 246.7 Miles
8 German Grand Prix Nürburgring Nordschleife - 03 Aug 1958 15 Laps - 342.8 Km - 213 Miles
9 Portuguese Grand Prix Circuito da Boavista, Oporto - 24 Aug 1958 50 Laps - 370 Km - 229.9 Miles
10 Italian Grand Prix Autodromo Nazionale di Monza - 07 Sep 1958 70 Laps - 500.5 Km - 311.1 Miles
11 Moroccan Grand Prix Ain-Diab Circuit - 19 Oct 1958 53 Laps - 415 Km - 257.6 Miles
1959Brabham Breaks Through, Cooper Revolutionizes with Rear-Engine Power
Round Race Circuit / Date Laps / Distance
1 Monaco Grand Prix Monte Carlo’s Circuit de Monaco - 10 May 1959 100 Laps - 314.5 Km - 195.4 Miles
2 Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis Motor Speedway - 30 May 1959 64 Laps - 804.672 Km - 500 Miles
3 Dutch Grand Prix Zandvoort Circuit - 31 May 1959 42 Laps - 314.475 Km - 195.406 Miles
4 French Grand Prix Reims-Gueux Circuit - 05 Jul 1959 50 Laps - 417.383 Km - 259.35 Miles
5 British Grand Prix Aintree Circuit - 18 Jul 1959 75 Laps - 362.1 Km - 225 Miles
6 German Grand Prix AVUS Circuit - 02 Aug 1959 60 Laps - 498 Km - 309.4 Miles
7 Portuguese Grand Prix Monsanto Park - 23 Aug 1959 28 Laps - 337.28 Km - 209.576 Miles
8 Italian Grand Prix Autodromo Nazionale di Monza - 13 Sep 1959 72 Laps - 414 Km - 257.3 Miles
9 United States Grand Prix Sebring Circuit - 12 Dec 1959 39 Laps - 350.952 Km - 218.071 Miles

Different Drivers

23
Different Drivers scored at least one 1st place
34
Different Drivers scored at least one 2nd place
43
Different Drivers scored at least one 3rd place
1950s Formula 1 driver image

DRIVERS OF THE DECADE

Titles: Juan Manuel Fangio - 5

Wins: Juan Manuel Fangio - 24

Podiums: Juan Manuel Fangio - 35

Poles: Juan Manuel Fangio - 29

Fastest laps: Juan Manuel Fangio - 23

Starts: Maurice Trintignant - 58

1950s Formula 1 constructor image

CONSTRUCTORS OF THE DECADE

Titles: Vanwall & Cooper - 1

Wins: Ferrari - 29

Podiums: Ferrari - 105

Poles: Ferrari - 31

Fastest laps: Ferrari - 29

Starts: Ferrari - 73

Different Constructors

11
Different Constructors scored at least one 1st place
13
Different Constructors scored at least one 2nd place
17
Different Constructors scored at least one 3rd place
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QUOTES FROM RACE STORIES IN THE BOOK