Presentation of 1951 season

In 1951, the second World Championship among drivers in the Formula 1 class took place. The technical regulations of the races have not changed compared to the previous year, and the scoring system has remained the same: 8-6-4-3-2. The results of the 4 best Grand Prix were counted, while the drivers of the same team had the right to change cars during the race, dividing the points among themselves. The championship calendar included the Grand Prix of Switzerland, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Teams

Alfa Romeo S.p.a

The Italian team, which defeated all rivals and won all the scoring Grand Prix in the previous season, was determined to repeat its success in 1951. The invincible Alfettas under the leadership of Gioacchino Colombo were modified and received a new rear suspension of the de Dion type, as well as a new engine with a two-stage compressor, which developed a power of 425 hp. Considering the fact that fuel consumption has also increased, the fuel tank on cars has been increased to 300 liters. The new cars were named Alfa Romeo 159 and were successfully tested in the last race of the last season, bringing Farina victory in the Italian Grand Prix. Giuseppe Farina and Juan-Manuel Fangio took the seats at the wheel of the new Alfettas, as in the previous season. The last of the "three Fa" Luigi Fagioli, according to the management, could not maintain the pace of his teammates and was transferred to the reserve, giving place of the third driver to the test pilot of the team Consalvo Sanesi.

Alfa Romeo 159

44-year-old Italian driver nicknamed "Nino", the first Formula 1 world champion. Last season Nino won three Grands Prix and in a hard fight with Fangio won the championship, becoming the best driver of 1950. This season, the Italian intends to do everything possible to retain his title.

Giuseppe Farina

40-year-old Argentine driver, 1950 vice-champion. All last season, Juan-Manuel fought with Farina for the championship crown, losing it only in the last race due to a technical malfunction. The Argentine hardly liked this outcome, so his goal for this season is to defeat all rivals and still become world champion.

Juan-Manuel Fangio

40-year-old Italian, permanent Alfa Romeo test driver. Periodically performed in races, and quite successfully, often getting on the podium. In 1950, he took part in the Italian Grand Prix and looked very confident until his departure, which convinced Alfa Romeo management to give him the place of the third driver in 1951.

Consalvo Sanesi

Scuderia Ferrari

Last season, Enzo Ferrari's team failed to impose a fight on Alfa Romeo, because the cars from Maranello lacked neither speed nor reliability. Realizing this, Commendatore instructed chief designer Aurelio Lampredi to develop a new car with an atmospheric engine, which made its debut at the 1950 Italian Grand Prix. In that race, Alberto Ascari, driving a new Ferrari 375, seriously fought for the lead with the new Alfa Romeo 159, until a technical malfunction deprived him of his chances of winning. Nevertheless, the 375 model proved its speed, so the new season promised to be interesting. The team's drivers were again Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi, while Piero Taruffi took the place of the third driver.

Ferrari 375

33-year-old Italian driver, the son of the famous 1920s driver Antonio Ascari, who tragically died in the Grand Prix races in 1925. It wasn't easy for Alberto to fight the invincible Alfa Romeos last season, but he was clearly the best of the rest, climbing the podium twice and taking 5th place in the overall standings. This season, having got a very fast Ferrari 375 at his disposal, the Italian could seriously compete for the title.

Alberto Ascari

42-year-old Italian nicknamed "Gi-Gi", friend and mentor of Alberto Ascari, one of the best drivers of the post-war period. Last season was extremely unsuccessful for Luigi. Not inferior in speed to Ascari, Gi-Gi did not score a single point in the World Championship in 1950, constantly encountering technical problems. And in the non-scoring Grand Prix of Nations in Geneva, the Italian got into an accident in which three spectators were killed, and he himself received fractures of the hip and collarbone. Nevertheless, Luigi could shine again at the wheel of a new Ferrari this season if he manages to fully recover from his injuries.

Luigi Villoresi

44-year-old Italian, a very successful motorcycle racer of the pre-war period, who later became an equally successful racing driver. After the end of the war, Piero drove for both Alfa Romeo and Ferrari, and was in good standing with both teams. Last season, Taruffi, driving an Alfa Romeo, participated only in the Italian Grand Prix, managing to show both good speed and team play, giving his car to Fangio during the race. But since there was no place for him in Alfa Romeo in 1951, the Italian joined Ferrari again and became the third driver of the team.

Pierro Taruffi

Equipe Gordini

After the departure of Talbot team, Equipe Gordini became the only French factory team in Formula 1. Last season, Amadeus Gordini's cars participated in only three Grands Prix, but at the same time managed to achieve one finish in scores in France. And despite the fact that the Simca-Gordini T15 coming out at the start of the World Championship had a power of only 195 hp and its characteristics were more suitable for Formula 2 racing, Gordini saw the potential in his cars, so he decided to use them in 1951. Maurice Trintignant and Robert Manzon became the drivers of the team again, and Andre Simon got the place of the third driver.

Simca-Gordini T15

34-year-old Frenchman, a very successful racer of the post-war period. Last season, Manzon took part in only three World Championship Grand Prix and at the same time managed to finish 4th in his homeland, earning the first points. This success convinced Robert to continue working with Gordini, despite the relatively modest characteristics of French cars.

Robert Manzon

33-year-old Frenchman, also a very successful racer of the post-war period. In the first World Championship, Maurice failed to prove himself, since both races ended for him in the first laps. In races not included in the standings, the Frenchman was more lucky, and he even managed to win the Geneva Grand Prix. In 1951 Trintignant continued to drive for the Gordini team, hoping for better results.

Maurice Trintignant

31-year-old Frenchman, debutant of the World Championship. In 1950, Simon competed as part of Equipe Gordini in non-scoring Formula 1 races and achieved considerable success, rising to the podium six times. Such high results could not go unnoticed by Amadeus Gordini, and in 1951 Andre received the status of the third driver of the team.

Andre Simon

Enrico Plate

The Swiss private team, created by former mechanic and driver Enrico Plate, performed well in the first World Championship. The best of the team drivers Prince Bira managed to finish twice in points last season and eventually took 6th place in the overall standings. And yet the Maserati cars, on which the Enrico Plate drivers performed, lacked speed and reliability, which is why the factory team of the Italian manufacturer decided to even skip the new season. Considering that in 1951 the team of Enrico Plate planned to perform on last year's cars, it was waiting for a difficult season. There were also changes in the drivers' side: Prince Bira left the team at the end of the championship, deciding to join BRM, and the famous Monegasque Louis Chiron took his place. The second driver of the team, as a year earlier, was Tulo de Graffenried.

51-year-old Monegasque, one of the best racers of the pre-war period. In the first World Championship, Chiron drove for the Maserati factory team, but managed to achieve only one productive finish, becoming 3rd in his native Monaco. At the end of the season, the Italian team decided to skip the 1951 championship, and Louis moved to the team of Enrico Plate. Considering that he will have to perform on last year's Maserati, the new season promises to be difficult for him.

Louis Chiron

37-year-old Swiss aristocrat from an ancient family, a very successful racer of the post-war period. Last season, Graffenried found himself in the shadow of his teammate Prince Bira and could not earn a single point. Considering that in the new season he will have an equally strong partner and an outdated car, the year is unlikely to be successful for him.

Baron Emmanuel Tulo de Graffenried

Private drivers

45-year-old Frenchman, one of the best drivers of France in the post-war period. In racing, Rosier tried not to take risks and relied on reliability, and this has borne fruit in the past season. Driving for the Talbot factory team, Louis managed to take 4th place in the overall World Championship standings behind the invincible Alfa Romeo, and also won the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race. At the end of 1950, the French team left Formula 1, and this season Louis will have to prove his skills on his own Talbot car.

Louis Rosier

55-year-old French driver nicknamed "Phi-Phi", easily recognizable by the cap he wore backwards. Last season was not very successful for the Frenchman. Driving for the Talbot team, Philippe looked decent and was not inferior to Louis Rosier, but faced with various technical problems during the championship and managed to score only 3 points. In 1951, Philippe will have to drive his own Talbot car, and given the driver's age, this season will be his last opportunity to succeed.

Philippe Etancelin

46-year-old Frenchman, a very successful driver of the post-war period. In 1950 Yves started driving for the Talbot team and began the season well, finishing 4th in the first Grand Prix. But then the season did not work out for him, Yves began to give way to his teammates, and as a result, the points he earned in the first race remained the only ones for the whole season. After the departure of the French team from Formula 1, Yves had nothing else to do in the new season but to perform on his own Talbot.

Yves Giraud-Cabantous

28-year-old Argentine, nicknamed the "Bull of Pampas" for his obesity. Despite his weight, Gonzalez was an excellent sportsman and was professionally engaged in football and swimming before his passion for motor racing. In 1950, thanks to the support of his friend and compatriot Juan Manuel Fangio, Jose began to perform in Europe behind the wheel of a Maserati. The Argentine's debut in the World Championship took place at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he managed to surprise everyone by qualifying in 3rd place. Unfortunately, at the very beginning of the race, Jose got into an accident and suffered burns, as a result of which he had to miss most of the season. After the end of the championship, the Scuderia Achille Varzi team, for which the Argentine drove, refused further participation in Formula 1, and this season Jose will have to drive his own Talbot.

Jose-Froilan Gonzalez