Monoposto

Nº 1

Giuseppe Farina

1950 World Champion

Alfa Romeo SpA

Overview

Emilio Giuseppe Farina, known as Nino, was born in Turin on 30 October 1906 and became the first World Drivers' Champion, with Alfa Romeo in 1950.1 The son of coachbuilder Giovanni Carlo Farina, he left a career as a cavalry officer to race, and was a protégé of Tazio Nuvolari.1

He won the first race of the championship, the 1950 British Grand Prix, on his debut.1 He died in a road accident in the Savoy Alps on 30 June 1966, on his way to the French Grand Prix.1

1950

Three wins, 3 points clear of Juan Manuel Fangio

Decided at Monza

He won in Britain and Switzerland, and teammate Juan Manuel Fangio won in Monaco and France.12 Farina went to the Italian finale two points behind.1 Alberto Ascari's Ferrari retired early and Fangio's gearbox failed, and Farina won the race and the title.1

Every Grand Prix finish, 1950

Numeral size follows the result. Round 1 at left.

Image plates

4 photographs, in season order

Helmet

Helmets weren't compulsory until 1952, and many drivers of his first championship season raced in goggles and cloth helmets.4

A drawing of his 1950 design.

Auge=mit · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Background removed

Alfa Romeo 158

He took the first title in the Alfa Romeo 158 and 159, known as the Alfetta.1

1950
Alfa Romeo 158

Road to the title

  1. 1936Enzo Ferrari signed him to Scuderia Ferrari.1
  2. 1950Won the first World Championship race and the first title.1
  3. 1953Last win, at the German Grand Prix.1
  4. 1956Last entry, failing to qualify at Indianapolis.1

Records

  • First World Drivers' Champion1
  • First winner of a World Championship race1
  • One of three drivers to win on their championship debut1

Sources