Saturday, May 13, 1950. It’s 3:00 PM. Twenty-one drivers from nine countries, representing five car manufacturers, are lined up at the start, waiting for the signal — then roar off as the flag drops. They’re making history: the very first Formula 1 World Championship race has just begun — kicking off a story that’s been unfolding for 75 years. All this in front of more than 100,000 spectators — including the British royal family, who didn’t want to miss the spectacle.
And the newly minted “king class” of motorsport lives up to its name: Italian racing ace Giuseppe “Nino” Farina storms straight into the lead, chased by fellow countryman Luigi Fagioli and the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio. All three drive for Alfa Romeo — the dominant brand of the era. The first laps see an exciting back-and-forth as the leaders swap positions multiple times. Local hero Reg Parnell, also racing for Alfa Romeo, unfortunately runs over a hare — but still manages to secure a podium finish at his home race thanks to Fangio’s late retirement. In the end, Giuseppe “Nino” Farina claims victory, keeping Fagioli at bay.
