Most competitive cars came from Italy, particularly Alfa Romeo. In the early years there were around 20 races held from late Spring to early Autumn (Fall) in Europe, although not all of these were considered significant. The third claimant is the 1947 Pau Grand Prix which was won by Nello Pagani driving a Maserati 4CL, which is irrefutable.Ĭhampionships for drivers or constructors were not introduced immediately.

The next contender is the 1947 Swedish Winter Grand Prix which was won by Reg Parnell driving an ERA - but this race was run on ice and some consider that it therefore was not a 'proper' race (there is also some doubt whether it was a Formula 1 race or a Formule Libre race). The first race under the new regulations was the 1946 Turin Grand Prix held on 1 September, the race being won by Achille Varzi in an Alfa Romeo 158 Alfetta - but this was before the Formula was officially in place. There is some debate as to what can be considered to be the first Formula 1 race. Non-supercharged 4.5-litre pre-war Grand Prix cars were allowed to race against the pre-war 1.5-litre supercharged ' voiturettes', while pre-war supercharged 3-litre Grand Prix cars were banned. The regulation expected to bring a new balance between supercharged and normally aspirated cars. In the beginning, the formula was largely based on pre- World War II regulations defined by engine capacity. When the 500c formula was internationally recognised as Formula 3 in 1950 it was never titled as 'Formula C' so the three International Formulae were then 'officially' titled Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3. This new 'International Formula' was initially known variously as Formula A, Formula I, or Formula 1 with the corresponding 'Voiturette' formula being titled Formula B, Formula II, or Formula 2. History The early years and the continuation of pre-WWII supercharged engines (1946–1950) įormula One was first defined in 1946 by the Commission Sportive Internationale (CSI) of the FIA, forerunner of FISA, as the premier single-seater racing category in worldwide motorsport to become effective in 1947. National championships existed in South Africa and the United Kingdom in the 1960s and 1970s.

In addition to the world championship series, non-championship Formula One races were held for many years, the last held in 1983 due to the rising cost of competition. The sport's history parallels the evolution of its technical regulations. Formula One automobile racing has its roots in the European Grand Prix championships of the 1920s and 1930s, though the foundation of the modern Formula One began in 1946 with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's (FIA) standardisation of rules, which was followed by a World Championship of Drivers in 1950.

Winter of the Wolves by Jackie Clay