Formula 1: Car by Car 1950-59: 1950-59

About this book

The formative years of the 1950s are explored in this fourth installment of Evros decade-by-decade series covering all Formula 1 cars and teams. When the World Championship was first held in 1950 red Italian cars predominated from Alfa Romeo Ferrari and Maserati and continued to do so for much of the period. But by the time the decade closed green British cars were in their ascendancy first Vanwall and then rear-engined Cooper playing the starring roles and BRM and Lotus having walk-on parts. As for drivers one stood out above the others Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio becoming World Champion five times. Much of the fascination of this era also lies in its numerous privateers and also-rans all of which receive their due coverage in this complete work. Year-by-year treatment covers each season in fascinating depth running through the teams and their various cars in order of importance. Alfa Romeos supercharged 1-litre cars dominated the first two years with titles won by Giuseppe Farina (1950) and Fangio (1951). The new marque of Ferrari steamrollered the opposition in two seasons run to Formula 2 rules (195253) Alberto Ascari becoming champion both times and the same manufacturer took two more crowns with Fangio (1956) and Mike Hawthorn (1958). Maseratis fabulous 250F the decades most significant racing car propelled Fangio to two more of his five championships (1954 and 1957). German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz stepped briefly into Formula 1 (195455) and won almost everything with Fangio and up-and-coming Stirling Moss. Green finally beat red when the Vanwalls driven by Moss and Tony Brooks won the inaugural constructors title (1958). Then along came Cooper rear-engine pioneers to signpost Formula 1s future when Jack Brabham became World Champion (1959).