1951 Spanish Grand Prix

Fangio (Alfa-Romeo) wins from Gonzalez (Ferrari) and becomes World Champion for 1951. Farina (Third), Ascari (Fourth).

The last Formula 1 Grand Prix of the 1951 season, the Gran Premio de Espana, run over 70 laps of the 3.9-mile circuit de Pcdralbes, on October 28th, promised to be a dramatic. It lived up to its promise! Only two points separated Ascari from Fangio as 1951 World Champion and clearly Alfa Romeo would be anxious to grasp this last chance of retrieving some of the prestige they have lost this year to Ferrari. B.R.M. although depicted on the cover of the race programme, were licking their wounds in Italy and did not enter, which no longer makes news, but Alfa Romeo put in Fangio, Farina, Bonetto and de Graffenried, and Ferrari entered Ascari, Gonzalez, Villoresi and Taruffi. The field was made up of three Wade-blown Simca-Gordinis, six Talbots, Jover's and Godia's Maseratis and Bira's Osca. Whitehead's 1½-litre Ferrari and Branca's Maserati non-started.

Ascari, anxious no doubt to make up his deficiency in the championship, made fastest practice lap, in 2 min. 10.59 sec., whereas Fangio did not better 2 min. 12.27 sec., Gonzalez 2 min. 14.01 sec., or Farina 2 min. 14.94 sec. But, in spite of Ascari's demonstration of speed, Ferrari were in trouble with tyres and Taruffi went off the course, a mishap matched by Bonetto, neither driver sustaining injury. Positions on the starling grid, which was situated some distance before the finishing line along the 1¾-miles Avenida Del Generalisimo Franco, were decided on practice times, and were:-