1948 British Grand Prix
Encyclopedia
The Royal Automobile Club International Grand Prix was a motor race
held on 2 October 1948, at Silverstone Airfield
, Northamptonshire
, UK. The race was held to the then recently introduced Formula One
regulations, which effectively replaced the pre-war Grand Prix motor racing
standards, two years prior to the inauguration of the FIA World Championship, and is commonly cited as the first British Grand Prix
of the modern era (although it did not have official Grande Epreuve status). The race meeting marked the opening of the Silverstone Circuit
, although at the time the site was only on a one-year loan to the RAC
from the Air Ministry
, having been a bomber
station during World War II
. The 65-lap Grand Prix was won by Italian Luigi Villoresi
, driving a Maserati 4CLT/48. The main race was preceded by a 13-lap 500 cc race which was won by Spike Rhiando in a Cooper
, while Stirling Moss
failed to finish after mechanical problems.
had previously run two International Grands Prix at the banked Brooklands
circuit, in Surrey
, in 1926
and 1927
, and the Donington Park
circuit had hosted four non-ranking Grands Prix between 1935 and 1939, but with the hiatus caused by the Second World War motorsport in Britain had lost ground to continental countries. Its two major race circuits were unusable, with Donington still littered with detritus accumulated during its wartime role as a supply depot, while the Brooklands circuit had been a major centre for aircraft development during the war and much of the track had been built over. With the abundance of redundant airfields in the years following the end of hostilities, however, there were plenty of potential venues for new race circuits. One such was at RAF Silverstone
, a former bomber
station.
s formed a triangle, their ends joined by a narrow perimeter roadway. In this inaugural year the RAC decided to lay out a relatively long circuit, using the full lengths of the two longest runways, as well as large portions of the perimeter road.
The competitors started on the western perimeter road and headed north towards a right-hand turn, the infamously fast Woodcote Corner. From there the track continued along the northern edge of the perimeter to a sharp right turn onto the main runway at Copse Corner. The circuit continued along the main runway, known for the race as Segrave Straight, to the point at which the two largest runways intersected. Here, in an attempt to better emulate a true road circuit, the course designers narrowed the track width using hay bales, to funnel the cars into a 130° left hairpin bend onto the second runway. At the end of the second runway the cars rejoined the perimeter road, just before the old Becketts Corner, before continuing on along long stretch of straight road in front of the main aircraft hangar
complex, known appropriately as Hangar Straight.
At the end of the straight at now Stowe Corner, competitors rejoined the main runway (this southern portion now named the Seaman Straight), heading directly back towards the central hairpin complex. Once again, at the intersection of the two runways the track was narrowed and took a left-hand hairpin onto the second runway, heading back out to the perimeter road. The perimeter road was rejoined at Club Corner. From this point the track once again headed north towards the finish line, passing through the flat-out Abbey Curve en route. The total track length was approximately 3.7 miles (5.9 km), substantially longer than the 2.9 miles (4.7 km) of Silverstone's classic layout, and longer even than the current 3.2 mile (5.1 km) circuit design. This was the only Grand Prix event ever held on this track layout, as from 1949 onward Silverstone circuits used only the perimeter roads. To commemorate the opening of this new circuit, all drivers completing either the Grand Prix or 500 cc race received the RAC Silverstone Plaque.
The entry list for the Grand Prix was a very mixed affair, with brand new, full works cars being entered from Maserati
, Talbot-Lago
and Ferrari
, with the majority of the remaining field made up of privateer entrants, commonly running pre-war cars. The organisers were particularly pleased to have attracted entries from leading continental firm Maserati; two of their brand new 4CLT/48 Sanremo models were entered: a works car for Luigi Villoresi
, and one by British privateer Reg Parnell
. A third 4CLT/48 was later entered for a second factory driver, Alberto Ascari
, and a fourth was entered as a reserve car in the hands of local driver Leslie Brooke. Four Talbot-Lago T26C cars were also entered, including one for pre-war star driver Louis Chiron
, and a fifth was held in reserve, entered by Lord Selsdon. Scuderia Ferrari entered two of its Ferrari 125
cars, however, the team decided at the last minute to concentrate their efforts on mainland Europe and failed to arrive.
Of the older vehicles entered, two of the most notable were the Maserati 4CLs from the Scuderia Platé and White Mouse Stable teams. These cars were to be driven by Toulo de Graffenried
and Prince Bira
respectively, both previously winners of major races. The ERA
marque was well represented among the local privateers, and was bolstered by a factory entry from the firm's progenitor Raymond Mays
. Another significant ERA entry was that of David Hampshire
who drove R1A, the first ERA car to be constructed, dating from 1934. Leslie Johnson
, owner of ERA in 1948, entered and drove one of the firm's 1939 E-type models. Although Peter Walker
was also entered in an E-type, the car was unavailable on race day so he reverted to his own B-type, R10B.
Notable by their absence were the Alfa Romeo
works team, with their dominant 158 Alfetta cars, who decided not to attend. One Alfa oddity was on show, however, as ex-Colditz prisoner of war, and future developer of four-wheel-drive, Tony Rolt
drove the 1935 Bimotore, albeit with only one of its two engines in operation.
1 Late entry, assumed the running number of non-arrival Giuseppe Farina.
(r) Reserve entry.
entries. Included in these were future Grand Prix star Stirling Moss
, eventual winner and claimed-Canadian Spike Rhiando, and John Cooper
himself, all driving the new MkII model. Future four-time British Hill Climb Champion
Ken Wharton
was also in the running, driving his self-built 500 cc special, in a strong field of well over 30 cars.
Despite the prestigious occasion – running two hours before the main Grand Prix event, the 500 cc race was actually the first ever competitive race on the Silverstone Circuit – the start was something of a shambles. When British Racing Drivers' Club
President Lord Howe
dropped the starting flag only two of the 34 drivers were ready to begin. Eric Brandon
– an experienced 500 cc driver, and the first man to win a 500 cc race in Britain – was not even seated in his car! He recovered from this early set-back to finish in fifth place. Moss had dominated the British 500 cc race season up to this point, but his car lost drive during the race and challenger Rhiando won. John Cooper was second, and the 58-year-old Baronet of Bodicote
, Sir Francis Samuelson (also a Cooper MkII driver) took third.
a further second behind de Graffenried. Despite driving a car a decade older than those in front of him, Bob Gerard
managed to put his ERA R14B into fourth position, only two-tenths of a second behind Etancelin. Having missed qualifying, the Maseratis of Villoresi and Ascari were forced to start at the back of the field, in 24th and 25th positions, respectively.
As more cars failed, and through their superior pace, the works Maseratis gradually moved into the lead. Villoresi and his protege Ascari swapped the lead many times during the course of the race, never being more than a few seconds apart, except during pit stops, and Villoresi posted the fastest lap of the race: 2:52.0. Eventually, after the 65 laps were complete, it was also Villoresi who finished first, 14 seconds ahead of his team mate and half a lap ahead of Bob Gerard
in ERA R14B. The only other finisher on the same lap as the leaders, but only a few seconds from having been lapped, was the Talbot of Louis Rosier
.
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
held on 2 October 1948, at Silverstone Airfield
RAF Silverstone
RAF Silverstone, located in Northamptonshire, was a Royal Air Force bomber station opened in 1943 during World War II.The station was the base for No. 17 Operational Training Unit operating the Vickers Wellington bomber....
, Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands, with a population of 629,676 as at the 2001 census. It has boundaries with the ceremonial counties of Warwickshire to the west, Leicestershire and Rutland to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east,...
, UK. The race was held to the then recently introduced Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
regulations, which effectively replaced the pre-war Grand Prix motor racing
Grand Prix motor racing
Grand Prix motor racing has its roots in organised automobile racing that began in France as far back as 1894. It quickly evolved from a simple road race from one town to the next, to endurance tests for car and driver...
standards, two years prior to the inauguration of the FIA World Championship, and is commonly cited as the first British Grand Prix
British Grand Prix
The British Grand Prix is a race in the calendar of the FIA Formula One World Championship. It is currently held at the Silverstone Circuit near the village of Silverstone in Northamptonshire...
of the modern era (although it did not have official Grande Epreuve status). The race meeting marked the opening of the Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side...
, although at the time the site was only on a one-year loan to the RAC
Royal Automobile Club
The Royal Automobile Club is a private club and is not to be confused with RAC plc, a motorists' organisation, which it formerly owned.It has two club houses, one in London at 89-91 Pall Mall, and the other in the countryside at Woodcote Park, Surrey, next to the City of London Freemen's School...
from the Air Ministry
Air Ministry
The Air Ministry was a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force, that existed from 1918 to 1964...
, having been a bomber
Bomber
A bomber is a military aircraft designed to attack ground and sea targets, by dropping bombs on them, or – in recent years – by launching cruise missiles at them.-Classifications of bombers:...
station during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The 65-lap Grand Prix was won by Italian Luigi Villoresi
Luigi Villoresi
Luigi Villoresi was an Italian Grand Prix motor racing driver who continued racing on the Formula One circuit at the time of its inception.-Biography:...
, driving a Maserati 4CLT/48. The main race was preceded by a 13-lap 500 cc race which was won by Spike Rhiando in a Cooper
Cooper Car Company
The Cooper Car Company was founded in 1946 by Charles Cooper and his son John Cooper. Together with John's boyhood friend, Eric Brandon, they began by building racing cars in Charles' small garage in Surbiton, Surrey, England in 1946...
, while Stirling Moss
Stirling Moss
Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss, OBE FIE is a former racing driver from England...
failed to finish after mechanical problems.
Background
The Royal Automobile ClubRoyal Automobile Club
The Royal Automobile Club is a private club and is not to be confused with RAC plc, a motorists' organisation, which it formerly owned.It has two club houses, one in London at 89-91 Pall Mall, and the other in the countryside at Woodcote Park, Surrey, next to the City of London Freemen's School...
had previously run two International Grands Prix at the banked Brooklands
Brooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
circuit, in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, in 1926
1926 British Grand Prix
The 1926 British Grand Prix was a Grand Prix motor race held at the Brooklands circuit on August 7, 1926.It was the fourth race of the 1926 AIACR World Manufacturers' Championship season, and the inaugural edition of the British Grand Prix.- Classification :...
and 1927
1927 British Grand Prix
The II Royal Automobile Club Grand Prix, commonly referred to as the 1927 British Grand Prix, was a Grand Prix motor race held at the Brooklands circuit on October 1, 1927. It was the fifth and final race of the 1927 AIACR World Manufacturers' Championship season. The race was won by French driver...
, and the Donington Park
Donington Park
Donington Park is a motorsport circuit near Castle Donington in Leicestershire, England.Originally part of the Donington Hall estate, it was created as a racing circuit during the pre-war period when the German Silver Arrows were battling for the European Championship...
circuit had hosted four non-ranking Grands Prix between 1935 and 1939, but with the hiatus caused by the Second World War motorsport in Britain had lost ground to continental countries. Its two major race circuits were unusable, with Donington still littered with detritus accumulated during its wartime role as a supply depot, while the Brooklands circuit had been a major centre for aircraft development during the war and much of the track had been built over. With the abundance of redundant airfields in the years following the end of hostilities, however, there were plenty of potential venues for new race circuits. One such was at RAF Silverstone
RAF Silverstone
RAF Silverstone, located in Northamptonshire, was a Royal Air Force bomber station opened in 1943 during World War II.The station was the base for No. 17 Operational Training Unit operating the Vickers Wellington bomber....
, a former bomber
Bomber
A bomber is a military aircraft designed to attack ground and sea targets, by dropping bombs on them, or – in recent years – by launching cruise missiles at them.-Classifications of bombers:...
station.
The circuit
The Royal Automobile Club took up a one year lease on the Silverstone airfield site in early 1948 and set about creating a race track. The airfield conformed to the standard model for WWII RAF sites: three long, wide runwayRunway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
s formed a triangle, their ends joined by a narrow perimeter roadway. In this inaugural year the RAC decided to lay out a relatively long circuit, using the full lengths of the two longest runways, as well as large portions of the perimeter road.
The competitors started on the western perimeter road and headed north towards a right-hand turn, the infamously fast Woodcote Corner. From there the track continued along the northern edge of the perimeter to a sharp right turn onto the main runway at Copse Corner. The circuit continued along the main runway, known for the race as Segrave Straight, to the point at which the two largest runways intersected. Here, in an attempt to better emulate a true road circuit, the course designers narrowed the track width using hay bales, to funnel the cars into a 130° left hairpin bend onto the second runway. At the end of the second runway the cars rejoined the perimeter road, just before the old Becketts Corner, before continuing on along long stretch of straight road in front of the main aircraft hangar
Hangar
A hangar is a closed structure to hold aircraft or spacecraft in protective storage. Most hangars are built of metal, but other materials such as wood and concrete are also sometimes used...
complex, known appropriately as Hangar Straight.
At the end of the straight at now Stowe Corner, competitors rejoined the main runway (this southern portion now named the Seaman Straight), heading directly back towards the central hairpin complex. Once again, at the intersection of the two runways the track was narrowed and took a left-hand hairpin onto the second runway, heading back out to the perimeter road. The perimeter road was rejoined at Club Corner. From this point the track once again headed north towards the finish line, passing through the flat-out Abbey Curve en route. The total track length was approximately 3.7 miles (5.9 km), substantially longer than the 2.9 miles (4.7 km) of Silverstone's classic layout, and longer even than the current 3.2 mile (5.1 km) circuit design. This was the only Grand Prix event ever held on this track layout, as from 1949 onward Silverstone circuits used only the perimeter roads. To commemorate the opening of this new circuit, all drivers completing either the Grand Prix or 500 cc race received the RAC Silverstone Plaque.
Grand Prix entrants
Maserati
Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993...
, Talbot-Lago
Talbot-Lago
Talbot-Lago was a French automobile manufacturer based in Suresnes, Hauts de Seine, outside of Paris.-Origins:The Anglo-French STD combine collapsed in 1935. The French Talbot company was acquired and reorganised by a Venetian born engineer called Anthony Lago and after that, the Talbot-Lago...
and Ferrari
Scuderia Ferrari
Scuderia Ferrari is the racing team division of the Ferrari automobile marque. The team currently only races in Formula One but has competed in numerous classes of motorsport since its formation in 1929, including sportscar racing....
, with the majority of the remaining field made up of privateer entrants, commonly running pre-war cars. The organisers were particularly pleased to have attracted entries from leading continental firm Maserati; two of their brand new 4CLT/48 Sanremo models were entered: a works car for Luigi Villoresi
Luigi Villoresi
Luigi Villoresi was an Italian Grand Prix motor racing driver who continued racing on the Formula One circuit at the time of its inception.-Biography:...
, and one by British privateer Reg Parnell
Reg Parnell
Reginald Harold Haslam Parnell was a racing driver and team manager from England. He participated in seven Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, achieving one podium, and scoring a total of 9 championship points.-Driving career:Before World War II Parnell was a very successful racing...
. A third 4CLT/48 was later entered for a second factory driver, Alberto Ascari
Alberto Ascari
Alberto Ascari was an Italian racing driver and twice Formula One World Champion. He is one of only two Italian Formula One World Champions in the history of the sport, and the only one winning his two championships in a Ferrari....
, and a fourth was entered as a reserve car in the hands of local driver Leslie Brooke. Four Talbot-Lago T26C cars were also entered, including one for pre-war star driver Louis Chiron
Louis Chiron
Louis Alexandre Chiron was a Grand Prix driver.-Career:As a teenager, Louis Chiron fell in love with cars and racing. He learned to drive at a young age and joined the Grand Prix circuit after World War I where he had been requisitioned from the artillery section to serve as a chauffeur...
, and a fifth was held in reserve, entered by Lord Selsdon. Scuderia Ferrari entered two of its Ferrari 125
Ferrari 125 F1
The 125 F1 was Ferrari's first Formula One car. It shared its engine with the 125 S sports racer which preceded it by a year, but was developed at the same time by Enzo Ferrari and famed designer, Gioacchino Colombo....
cars, however, the team decided at the last minute to concentrate their efforts on mainland Europe and failed to arrive.
Of the older vehicles entered, two of the most notable were the Maserati 4CLs from the Scuderia Platé and White Mouse Stable teams. These cars were to be driven by Toulo de Graffenried
Toulo de Graffenried
Baron Emmanuel 'Toulo' de Graffenried was a Swiss motor racing driver. He participated in 23 World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on May 13, 1950, and scored a total of 9 championship points...
and Prince Bira
Prince Bira
12th, 1956 Melbourne, Star 19th, 1960 Rome, Star 22nd, 1964 Tokio, Dragon 21st, 1972 Munich, TempestPrince Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh better known as Prince Bira of Siam , or by his nom de course B...
respectively, both previously winners of major races. The ERA
English Racing Automobiles
English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:...
marque was well represented among the local privateers, and was bolstered by a factory entry from the firm's progenitor Raymond Mays
Raymond Mays
Thomas Raymond Mays CBE was an auto racing driver and entrepreneur from Bourne, Lincolnshire, England.He attended Oundle School, where he met Amherst Villiers, leaving at the end of 1917. After army service in the Grenadier Guards in France, he attended Christ's College, Cambridge...
. Another significant ERA entry was that of David Hampshire
David Hampshire
David Alan Hampshire was a racing driver from England. He was born in Mickleover, Derby, Derbyshire and died in Newton Solney, in South Derbyshire....
who drove R1A, the first ERA car to be constructed, dating from 1934. Leslie Johnson
Leslie Johnson
Leslie George Johnson was a British racing driver who competed in rallies, hill climbs, sports car races and Grand Prix races.-Overview:...
, owner of ERA in 1948, entered and drove one of the firm's 1939 E-type models. Although Peter Walker
Peter Walker (driver)
Peter Douglas Conyers Walker was a British racing driver. He was born in Leeds, Yorkshire and died in Newtown, Worcestershire....
was also entered in an E-type, the car was unavailable on race day so he reverted to his own B-type, R10B.
Notable by their absence were the Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of cars. Founded as A.L.F.A. on June 24, 1910, in Milan, the company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars...
works team, with their dominant 158 Alfetta cars, who decided not to attend. One Alfa oddity was on show, however, as ex-Colditz prisoner of war, and future developer of four-wheel-drive, Tony Rolt
Tony Rolt
Major Anthony Peter Roylance "Tony" Rolt, MC & Bar, was a British racing driver, soldier and engineer. He won the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans and participated in three Formula One World Championship Grands Prix without scoring a championship point...
drove the 1935 Bimotore, albeit with only one of its two engines in operation.
Entry list
| No | Driver | Entrant | Car | Qual. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Louis ChironLouis Chiron Louis Alexandre Chiron was a Grand Prix driver.-Career:As a teenager, Louis Chiron fell in love with cars and racing. He learned to drive at a young age and joined the Grand Prix circuit after World War I where he had been requisitioned from the artillery section to serve as a chauffeur... |
Ecurie France | Talbot-Lago Talbot-Lago Talbot-Lago was a French automobile manufacturer based in Suresnes, Hauts de Seine, outside of Paris.-Origins:The Anglo-French STD combine collapsed in 1935. The French Talbot company was acquired and reorganised by a Venetian born engineer called Anthony Lago and after that, the Talbot-Lago... T26C |
1 |
| 2 |  Gianfranco Comotti |
G. Comotti | Talbot-Lago Talbot-Lago Talbot-Lago was a French automobile manufacturer based in Suresnes, Hauts de Seine, outside of Paris.-Origins:The Anglo-French STD combine collapsed in 1935. The French Talbot company was acquired and reorganised by a Venetian born engineer called Anthony Lago and after that, the Talbot-Lago... T26C |
11 |
| 3 |  Louis RosierLouis Rosier Louis Rosier was a racing driver from France.-Career highlights:... |
L. Rosier | Talbot-Lago Talbot-Lago Talbot-Lago was a French automobile manufacturer based in Suresnes, Hauts de Seine, outside of Paris.-Origins:The Anglo-French STD combine collapsed in 1935. The French Talbot company was acquired and reorganised by a Venetian born engineer called Anthony Lago and after that, the Talbot-Lago... T26C |
12 |
| 4 | Philippe Étancelin Philippe Étancelin Philippe Étancelin was a French Grand Prix motor racing driver who joined the new Formula One circuit at its inception.-Biography:... |
P. Étancelin | Talbot-Lago Talbot-Lago Talbot-Lago was a French automobile manufacturer based in Suresnes, Hauts de Seine, outside of Paris.-Origins:The Anglo-French STD combine collapsed in 1935. The French Talbot company was acquired and reorganised by a Venetian born engineer called Anthony Lago and after that, the Talbot-Lago... T26C |
3 |
| 5 (r) | Lord Selsdon Peter Mitchell-Thomson Peter Mitchell-Thomson, 2nd Baron Selsdon won the 1949 24 Hours of Le Mans together with Luigi Chinetti in a Ferrari 166MM.... |
Lord Selsdon | Talbot-Lago Talbot-Lago Talbot-Lago was a French automobile manufacturer based in Suresnes, Hauts de Seine, outside of Paris.-Origins:The Anglo-French STD combine collapsed in 1935. The French Talbot company was acquired and reorganised by a Venetian born engineer called Anthony Lago and after that, the Talbot-Lago... T26C |
- |
| 6 | Reg Parnell Reg Parnell Reginald Harold Haslam Parnell was a racing driver and team manager from England. He participated in seven Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, achieving one podium, and scoring a total of 9 championship points.-Driving career:Before World War II Parnell was a very successful racing... |
R. Parnell | Maserati 4CLT/48 | 7 |
| 7 (r) | Fred Ashmore | F. Ashmore | Maserati 4CL | - |
| 8 | Duncan Hamilton | D. Hamilton | Maserati 6CM Maserati 6CM Maserati 6CM were 29 Italian single-seater racing cars made by Maserati of Modena.It was built on the Maserati 4CM frame, and front suspension as on Maserati V8RI.The first version had*1493.2 cc inline-6*two OHV mounted 90 degree... |
18 |
| 9 | Bob Ansell | R.E. Ansell | Maserati 4CL | 21 |
| 10 | Raymond Sommer Raymond Sommer Raymond Sommer was a Grand Prix motor racing driver.... |
R. Sommer | Ferrari 125 Ferrari 125 F1 The 125 F1 was Ferrari's first Formula One car. It shared its engine with the 125 S sports racer which preceded it by a year, but was developed at the same time by Enzo Ferrari and famed designer, Gioacchino Colombo.... |
DNA |
| 11 | Giuseppe Farina Giuseppe Farina Emilio Giuseppe "Nino" Farina was an Italian racing driver. He stands out in the history of Grand Prix motor racing for his much copied 'straight-arm' driving style and his status as the first ever Formula One World Champion.-Biography:Born in Turin, Italy and nicknamed "Nino", Farina was a doctor... |
G. Farina | Ferrari 125 Ferrari 125 F1 The 125 F1 was Ferrari's first Formula One car. It shared its engine with the 125 S sports racer which preceded it by a year, but was developed at the same time by Enzo Ferrari and famed designer, Gioacchino Colombo.... |
DNA |
| 12 | Raymond Mays Raymond Mays Thomas Raymond Mays CBE was an auto racing driver and entrepreneur from Bourne, Lincolnshire, England.He attended Oundle School, where he met Amherst Villiers, leaving at the end of 1917. After army service in the Grenadier Guards in France, he attended Christ's College, Cambridge... |
Raymond Mays | ERA English Racing Automobiles English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:... B-Type |
17 |
| 14 | Peter Walker | P.D.C. Walker | ERA English Racing Automobiles English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:... E-Type |
8 |
| 15 | Leslie Johnson Leslie Johnson Leslie George Johnson was a British racing driver who competed in rallies, hill climbs, sports car races and Grand Prix races.-Overview:... |
Leslie Johnson | ERA English Racing Automobiles English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:... E-Type |
5 |
| 16 | Bob Gerard Bob Gerard Frederick Roberts "Bob" Gerard was a racing driver and businessman from England... |
F.R. Gerard | ERA English Racing Automobiles English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:... B-Type |
4 |
| 17 (r) | George Watson | G. Watson | Alta 69/IS | 16 |
| 18 | Luigi Villoresi Luigi Villoresi Luigi Villoresi was an Italian Grand Prix motor racing driver who continued racing on the Formula One circuit at the time of its inception.-Biography:... |
Scuderia Ambrosiana Scuderia Ambrosiana Scuderia Ambrosiana was an Italian motor racing team that competed in the Formula One World Championship in and with Maserati cars and in with Ferraris, and previously in Grand Prix motor racing, where it won Targa Florio in 1951, finished second in 1937 and 1939 and was third in 1938... |
Maserati 4CLT/48 | 24 |
| 19 |  B. BiraPrince Bira 12th, 1956 Melbourne, Star 19th, 1960 Rome, Star 22nd, 1964 Tokio, Dragon 21st, 1972 Munich, TempestPrince Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh better known as Prince Bira of Siam , or by his nom de course B... |
H.R.H. Prince Chula | Maserati 4CL | 6 |
| 20 |  Emmanuel de GraffenriedToulo de Graffenried Baron Emmanuel 'Toulo' de Graffenried was a Swiss motor racing driver. He participated in 23 World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on May 13, 1950, and scored a total of 9 championship points... |
E. Platé Enrico Platé Enrico Platé was a motor racing driver and team manager. Although born in Italy, Platé raced, and latterly ran his racing team Scuderia Enrico Platé, under Swiss nationality. He began his career as a mechanic, but swiftly took to racing cars in addition to repairing them... |
Maserati 4CL | 2 |
| 21 (r) | Anthony Baring | A.A. Baring | Maserati 6CM Maserati 6CM Maserati 6CM were 29 Italian single-seater racing cars made by Maserati of Modena.It was built on the Maserati 4CM frame, and front suspension as on Maserati V8RI.The first version had*1493.2 cc inline-6*two OHV mounted 90 degree... |
- |
| 22 | Geoffrey Ansell | G. Ansell | ERA English Racing Automobiles English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:... B-Type |
15 |
| 23 | Cuth Harrison Cuth Harrison Cuth Harrison born Thomas Cuthbert Harrison was a British racing driver from England. He was born in Ecclesall, Sheffield, and also died in Sheffield. He participated in 3 World Championship Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 13 May 1950. He scored no championship points... |
T.C. Harrison | ERA English Racing Automobiles English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:... B-Type |
10 |
| 24 | David Hampshire David Hampshire David Alan Hampshire was a racing driver from England. He was born in Mickleover, Derby, Derbyshire and died in Newton Solney, in South Derbyshire.... |
D.A. Hampshire | ERA English Racing Automobiles English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:... A-Type |
19 |
| 25 (r) | John Bolster | P.H. Bell | ERA English Racing Automobiles English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:... B-Type |
13 |
| 26 | Sam Gilbey | S.J. Gilbey | Maserati 6CM Maserati 6CM Maserati 6CM were 29 Italian single-seater racing cars made by Maserati of Modena.It was built on the Maserati 4CM frame, and front suspension as on Maserati V8RI.The first version had*1493.2 cc inline-6*two OHV mounted 90 degree... |
23 |
| 27 | Roy Salvadori Roy Salvadori Roy Francesco Salvadori is a former motor racing driver and manager from England. He participated in 50 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on 12 July 1952, and achieved two podiums, scoring a total of 19 Championship points.During a varied career he also won the 24 Hours of Le... |
Rowland Motors Ltd. | Maserati 6CM Maserati 6CM Maserati 6CM were 29 Italian single-seater racing cars made by Maserati of Modena.It was built on the Maserati 4CM frame, and front suspension as on Maserati V8RI.The first version had*1493.2 cc inline-6*two OHV mounted 90 degree... |
22 |
| 28 | Leslie Brooke | Alfieri Maserati Alfieri Maserati Alfieri Maserati was an Italian automotive engineer, known for establishing and leading the Maserati racing car manufacturer with the other Maserati Brothers.... |
Maserati 4CLT | - |
| 29 | Tony Rolt Tony Rolt Major Anthony Peter Roylance "Tony" Rolt, MC & Bar, was a British racing driver, soldier and engineer. He won the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans and participated in three Formula One World Championship Grands Prix without scoring a championship point... |
A.P.R. Rolt | Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of cars. Founded as A.L.F.A. on June 24, 1910, in Milan, the company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars... 3.45 L |
9 |
| 30 (r) | George Nixon | G. Nixon | ERA English Racing Automobiles English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:... A-Type |
20 |
| 31 (r) | Guy Richardson Guy Richardson Guy Colquhoun Richardson was a British rower who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.Richardson was born at Guildford, Surrey; he was the son of Alexander Richardson, an army officer and Olympic medalist, and his wife Agnes Thackeray... |
G. Richardson | Riley-ERA English Racing Automobiles English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:... |
14 |
| 32 |  Bobby Baird |
R. Baird | Emeryson Emeryson Emeryson was a Formula One constructor briefly in , and then again briefly in and .-Works entries:* Constructors' Championship not awarded until 1958-Results of other Emeryson cars:... -Duesenberg Duesenberg Duesenberg was an Auburn, Indiana based American luxury automobile company active in various forms from 1913 to 1937, most famous for its high-quality passenger cars and record-breaking racing cars.-History:... |
DNQ |
| (11)1 | Alberto Ascari Alberto Ascari Alberto Ascari was an Italian racing driver and twice Formula One World Champion. He is one of only two Italian Formula One World Champions in the history of the sport, and the only one winning his two championships in a Ferrari.... |
Scuderia Ambrosiana Scuderia Ambrosiana Scuderia Ambrosiana was an Italian motor racing team that competed in the Formula One World Championship in and with Maserati cars and in with Ferraris, and previously in Grand Prix motor racing, where it won Targa Florio in 1951, finished second in 1937 and 1939 and was third in 1938... |
Maserati 4CLT/48 | 25 |
1 Late entry, assumed the running number of non-arrival Giuseppe Farina.
(r) Reserve entry.
RAC 500 cc race
The main Grand Prix event was supported by a race for 500 cc (later to become Formula 3) cars, that was dominated by privateer CooperCooper Car Company
The Cooper Car Company was founded in 1946 by Charles Cooper and his son John Cooper. Together with John's boyhood friend, Eric Brandon, they began by building racing cars in Charles' small garage in Surbiton, Surrey, England in 1946...
entries. Included in these were future Grand Prix star Stirling Moss
Stirling Moss
Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss, OBE FIE is a former racing driver from England...
, eventual winner and claimed-Canadian Spike Rhiando, and John Cooper
John Cooper (car maker)
John Newton Cooper was a co-founder, with his father Charles Cooper, of the Cooper Car Company. Born in Surbiton, Surrey, England, UK he became an auto racing legend with his rear-engined chassis design that would eventually change the face of the sport at its highest levels, from Formula One to...
himself, all driving the new MkII model. Future four-time British Hill Climb Champion
British Hill Climb Championship
The British Hill Climb Championship is the most prestigious Hillclimbing championship in Great Britain. Hillclimbing in the British Isles has a rich history and this event has been held every year since 1947.All British Champions have been British...
Ken Wharton
Ken Wharton
Kenneth Wharton was a British racing driver from England. He began competing in the new National 500cc Formula in his own special, later acquiring a Cooper. Ken participated in 15 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on 18 May 1952 and scored a total of 3 championship points...
was also in the running, driving his self-built 500 cc special, in a strong field of well over 30 cars.
Despite the prestigious occasion – running two hours before the main Grand Prix event, the 500 cc race was actually the first ever competitive race on the Silverstone Circuit – the start was something of a shambles. When British Racing Drivers' Club
British Racing Drivers' Club
The British Racing Drivers' Club is a membership body which represents the interests of professional racing drivers from the United Kingdom.-Early days:...
President Lord Howe
Francis Curzon, 5th Earl Howe
Francis Richard Henry Penn Curzon, 5th Earl Howe, CBE, PC, VD was a British naval officer, Member of Parliament, motor racing driver and promotor. In the 1918 UK General Election he won the Battersea South seat as the candidate of the Conservative Party, which he held until 1929...
dropped the starting flag only two of the 34 drivers were ready to begin. Eric Brandon
Eric Brandon
Eric Brandon was a motor racing driver and businessman. He was closely associated with the Cooper Car Company, and was instrumental in the early development of the company....
– an experienced 500 cc driver, and the first man to win a 500 cc race in Britain – was not even seated in his car! He recovered from this early set-back to finish in fifth place. Moss had dominated the British 500 cc race season up to this point, but his car lost drive during the race and challenger Rhiando won. John Cooper was second, and the 58-year-old Baronet of Bodicote
Samuelson Baronets
The Samuelson Baronetcy, of Bodicote in Banbury in the County of Oxford, is a title in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 29 July 1884 for Bernhard Samuelson. He was a businessman, Liberal Member of Parliament for Banbury and a pioneer of technical education. The baronetcy was...
, Sir Francis Samuelson (also a Cooper MkII driver) took third.
Qualifying
The works Maseratis were delayed on their way to Silverstone, and in their absence qualifying was dominated by Monagasque driver Chiron, in his Ecurie France-run Talbot-Lago. He took pole position with a time of 2:56.0, a second clear of de Graffenried's Maserati in second place. Third was taken by a second Talbot-Lago of Philippe ÉtancelinPhilippe Étancelin
Philippe Étancelin was a French Grand Prix motor racing driver who joined the new Formula One circuit at its inception.-Biography:...
a further second behind de Graffenried. Despite driving a car a decade older than those in front of him, Bob Gerard
Bob Gerard
Frederick Roberts "Bob" Gerard was a racing driver and businessman from England...
managed to put his ERA R14B into fourth position, only two-tenths of a second behind Etancelin. Having missed qualifying, the Maseratis of Villoresi and Ascari were forced to start at the back of the field, in 24th and 25th positions, respectively.
Race
From the very start, the Maserati 4CLTs of Villoresi and Ascari began to move rapidly through the field; while local driver Parnell's month-old 4CLT lasted less than a lap before its fuel tank split, ending his race. Another early retiree was Italian privateer Gianfranco Comotti, whose Talbot's brakes failed on lap three. A far more dramatic exit from the race was made by ERA pilot Geoffrey Ansell, who rolled R9B on lap 23. Fortunately for Ansell, he was thrown from the car and emerged from the accident unscathed.As more cars failed, and through their superior pace, the works Maseratis gradually moved into the lead. Villoresi and his protege Ascari swapped the lead many times during the course of the race, never being more than a few seconds apart, except during pit stops, and Villoresi posted the fastest lap of the race: 2:52.0. Eventually, after the 65 laps were complete, it was also Villoresi who finished first, 14 seconds ahead of his team mate and half a lap ahead of Bob Gerard
Bob Gerard
Frederick Roberts "Bob" Gerard was a racing driver and businessman from England...
in ERA R14B. The only other finisher on the same lap as the leaders, but only a few seconds from having been lapped, was the Talbot of Louis Rosier
Louis Rosier
Louis Rosier was a racing driver from France.-Career highlights:...
.
Classification
| Pos | No | Driver | Manufacturer | Laps | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | Luigi Villoresi Luigi Villoresi Luigi Villoresi was an Italian Grand Prix motor racing driver who continued racing on the Formula One circuit at the time of its inception.-Biography:... |
Maserati Maserati Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993... |
65 | 3:18:03.0 |
| 2 | 11 | Alberto Ascari Alberto Ascari Alberto Ascari was an Italian racing driver and twice Formula One World Champion. He is one of only two Italian Formula One World Champions in the history of the sport, and the only one winning his two championships in a Ferrari.... |
Maserati Maserati Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993... |
65 | + 14.0s |
| 3 | 16 | Bob Gerard Bob Gerard Frederick Roberts "Bob" Gerard was a racing driver and businessman from England... |
ERA English Racing Automobiles English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:... |
65 | + 2:03.0 |
| 4 | 3 | Louis Rosier Louis Rosier Louis Rosier was a racing driver from France.-Career highlights:... |
Talbot-Lago Talbot-Lago Talbot-Lago was a French automobile manufacturer based in Suresnes, Hauts de Seine, outside of Paris.-Origins:The Anglo-French STD combine collapsed in 1935. The French Talbot company was acquired and reorganised by a Venetian born engineer called Anthony Lago and after that, the Talbot-Lago... |
65 | + 4:35.6 |
| 5 | 19 | B. Bira Prince Bira 12th, 1956 Melbourne, Star 19th, 1960 Rome, Star 22nd, 1964 Tokio, Dragon 21st, 1972 Munich, TempestPrince Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh better known as Prince Bira of Siam , or by his nom de course B... |
Maserati Maserati Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993... |
64 | + 1 lap |
| 6 | 25 | John Bolster Peter Bell Peter Bell -People:* Peter Hansborough Bell , Governor of Texas, U.S. representative* Peter Bell , Australian rules footballer, played for Fremantle and North Melbourne* Peter R... |
ERA English Racing Automobiles English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:... |
63 | + 2 laps |
| 7 | 24 | Peter Fotheringham-Parker David Hampshire David Hampshire David Alan Hampshire was a racing driver from England. He was born in Mickleover, Derby, Derbyshire and died in Newton Solney, in South Derbyshire.... |
ERA English Racing Automobiles English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:... |
60 | + 5 laps |
| 8 | 27 | Roy Salvadori Roy Salvadori Roy Francesco Salvadori is a former motor racing driver and manager from England. He participated in 50 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on 12 July 1952, and achieved two podiums, scoring a total of 19 Championship points.During a varied career he also won the 24 Hours of Le... |
Maserati Maserati Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993... |
60 | + 5 laps |
| 9 | 20 | Emmanuel de Graffenried |
Maserati Maserati Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993... |
59 | + 6 laps |
| 10 | 30 | George Dixon George Dixon George Dixon may refer to:*George Dixon , Canadian boxer*George Dixon , Canadian Football League Hall of Fame player*George Dixon , sea captain and explorer... |
ERA English Racing Automobiles English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:... |
58 | + 7 laps |
| 11 | 14 | Peter Walker Peter Walker (driver) Peter Douglas Conyers Walker was a British racing driver. He was born in Leeds, Yorkshire and died in Newtown, Worcestershire.... |
ERA English Racing Automobiles English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:... |
53 | + 12 laps |
| 12 | 9 | Bob Ansell George Bainbridge |
Maserati Maserati Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993... |
50 | + 15 laps |
- All other qualifiers failed to finish.
Sources
- Programme of the Royal Automobile Club International Grand Prix and "500 cc." National Race at the Silverstone Circuit Saturday, October 2nd, 1948. Royal Automobile Club, London. 24 pp.
- 1948 Revisited. Coys International Historic Festival: 1998 Silverstone Event Guide. 27-31 (German, results)