British Grand Prix 1950 - Race Schedule and Countdown

The British Grand Prix at Silverstone on May 13, 1950, marked the beginning of the Formula 1 World Championship era. Twenty-one cars took to the grid at the former Royal Air Force airfield in Northamptonshire, with King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in attendance to witness this historic moment. The race represented a new chapter in motorsport, transforming Grand Prix racing from a collection of national championships into a unified world series that would capture the imagination of millions for generations to come.

Giuseppe Farina dominated the inaugural race from pole position, leading home an Alfa Romeo 1-2-3 finish that announced their supremacy to the world. The Italian veteran's distinctive straight-armed driving style propelled his Type 158 'Alfetta' to victory by just over two seconds from teammate Luigi Fagioli, with Reg Parnell completing the podium in the third works Alfa Romeo. Juan Manuel Fangio, making his European championship debut, suffered a cruel twist when his steering failed while running second, forcing him to retire and hand victory to Farina.

The race showcased both the promise and the perils of this new era. Alfa Romeo's technological superiority was evident, their supercharged straight-eight engines howling around the fast Silverstone layout with a sound that would become synonymous with 1950s Grand Prix racing. Yet the day was also marred by accidents that highlighted the dangers of the sport—José Froilán González crashed his Maserati heavily, and several other drivers experienced mechanical failures that sent them spinning into the primitive safety barriers. Farina's victory in the first-ever World Championship race ensured his name would forever be linked to this milestone moment in motorsport history.