Know Formula 1 • Episode 03
The Birth of Formula 1: Silverstone 1950 and the First World Championship
On May 13, 1950, over 100,000 spectators—including King George VI and Queen Elizabeth—gathered at a former Royal Air Force airfield in Northamptonshire, England. That afternoon at Silverstone marked Round 1 of the inaugural FIA Formula One World Championship.
The 1950 Reality
The original grid looked wildly different from modern carbon-fiber machines. Engines were mounted in front of the driver, seatbelts were virtually non-existent (drivers preferred being thrown clear of a wreck rather than trapped in a fire), and safety gear consisted of leather caps and canvas overalls.
- The Dominant Force: Alfa Romeo arrived with their pre-war designed Alfetta 158s—supercharged 1.5-litre straight-eight beasts generating around 350 bhp.
- The First Winner: Giuseppe "Nino" Farina took pole position, set the fastest lap, and won the Grand Prix, eventually becoming F1's first official World Champion.
How the Calendar Looked
The 1950 calendar featured just seven championship rounds: Great Britain, Monaco, Indianapolis 500 (run to separate US rules), Switzerland, Belgium, France, and Italy. Only an individual driver's four best results counted toward the title.