Spanish Grand Prix 1951 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Juan Manuel Fangio secured his first World Championship with a commanding victory at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona on October 28, 1951, bringing the curtain down on Alfa Romeo's brief but glorious Formula 1 campaign. The Argentine maestro controlled the race from the front on the challenging Pedralbes street circuit, managing his Alfa Romeo 159's fuel consumption and tire wear with the tactical intelligence that would become his trademark. When Fangio crossed the line to claim his 31st championship point, he had not only won the title but ensured Alfa Romeo departed Formula 1 as champions.

José Froilán González provided spirited opposition throughout the race, keeping his Ferrari within striking distance and pushing Fangio to extract every ounce of performance from the aging Alfa Romeo. However, the Argentine's combination of speed, precision, and racecraft proved unbeatable on this day. Giuseppe Farina completed the podium for Alfa Romeo, giving the Italian manufacturer a fitting 1-3 finish in their final championship race. Alberto Ascari's retirement with mechanical issues ended his mathematical championship hopes, confirming Fangio as champion even before the checkered flag fell.

The Pedralbes circuit, winding through the streets of Barcelona with a mix of fast straights and technical corners, provided a worthy stage for this championship decider. The street circuit's unforgiving barriers and minimal run-off areas demanded total precision, and several drivers crashed out during the race. Fangio's victory marked the culmination of a remarkable season that had seen him overcome serious injuries, Alfa Romeo's declining competitiveness, and Ferrari's surge to dominance. At 40 years old, he became Formula 1's second World Champion and the oldest driver to win his first title, beginning a period of dominance that would bring him four more championships. Alfa Romeo's withdrawal left Ferrari as the dominant force heading into 1952, but Fangio's championship had ensured the Italian manufacturer went out on top, their legacy as Grand Prix pioneers secure.