Formula One Madness: The 1950s Quiz

Answer: Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo won all but one of the seven races in the inugural Formula One season. The reason for that was they, like, the other big name teams, did not turn up for the Indianapolis 500. It was left to Californian Johnny Parsons to claim victory. Ferrari and Talbot-Lago, in the form of Alberto Ascari and Louis Rosier provided Alfa Romeo with some competition, but they simply could not keep up with the domineering Alfas. Lancia did not enter Formula One until 1954.

Answer: BRM

Despite not making it to practice on their debut, BRM were allowed to start the race from the back of the grid. Reg Parnell and Peter Walker were the first drivers.

Answer: Piero Taruffi

Ascari chose to race at Indianapolis that year, however tight schedules meant that he was forced to miss the Swiss GP. His stand in, Piero Taruffi, did not disappoint. Ascari retired from the Indy 500 on lap 40 after his car suffered wheel failure, and after an eventful race, it was left to American Troy Ruttman to take the honours. Giuseppe Farina, by now with Ferrari, took pole position for the Swiss Grand Prix but suffered succsesive car failures and was unable to make it to the end of the race.

Answer: Mike Hawthorn

After an epic battle, Mike Hawthorn beat the likes of Fangio, Gonzalez, and Ascari to take his first victory. Mike Hailwood raced in Formula One during the 1960s and 1970s. Stirling Moss did not start racing in Formula One until the following year, and Chris Amon was known as 'The best driver never to win a Grand Prix'.

Answer: Onofre Marimon

He crashed during practice for the German Grand Prix of 1954. Fellow Argentinians Juan Manuel Fangio and Jose Frolian Gonzalez were particularly affected by his death.

Answer: Huge crash at Le Mans

During the Le Mans 24 hours race in June 1955, entrant Pierre Levegh lost control of his Mercedes-Benz and crashed straight into the crowd, killing himself and 80 spectators. As a result, many races were cancelled and motor racing was banned in Switzerland (There was to be one more Swiss Grand Prix, however it actually took place in France).

Answer: Peter Collins

In the final race of the season in Monza, Italy, Juan Manuel Fangio, looking to win his 4th world title, retired from the race with a broken steering arm. However, in the days when handing your car over to a teammate was allowed, Peter Collins gave his car to Fangio who was able to win the race and the championship.

Answer: Giuseppe Farina

Farina never made it to the start of the race, after teammate Keith Andrews crashed in testing. The car was destroyed and Andrews died soon after. Despite rarely attracting top Formula One drivers, the Indy 500 was to remain part of the World Championship until 1960.

Answer: True

At the Belgian Grand Prix of 1958, Theresa de Fillipis became the first women to start a World Championship race. She finished 10th, two laps down on the winner Tony Brooks, and was half a minute slower than pole sitter Mike Hawthorn.

Answer: Rodger Ward

Rodger Ward, winner of the Indy 500 which had taken place earlier in the year, was tempted by the location of the Formula One race to have a go, however he was 43 seconds off the pace. Johnny Thompson had secure pole for the Indy 500 race, and Jerry Unser and Bob Cortner were both killed in qualifying incidents.