GERMAN G.P.

GERMAN G.P.

ON July 211th the first post-war Formula I Grand Prix was staged over the marvellous Narburg Ring circuit in Germany. Alfa-Romeo ran there for the first time and were soundly beaten by the unblown Ferraris. When the ears passed after the first lap Fangio’s Alfa-Rome() led from Ascari’s Ferrari, Gonzalez’ Ferrari, Farina’s AlfaRomeo, Pietsch’s Alfa-Romeo, Tamil-Vs Ferrari and Villoresi’s Ferrari. Such an authority as The Au incur saw Tazio Nuvolari in sixth place, but this must have been something to do with psychic phenomena and the intensity of the racing I

Soon, however, things began to go astray for Alfa-Romeo. Pietsch went. off the road and lost time both getting back on to the course and at his pit. Bonetto also went to his pit, with incurable engine trouble. On lap 5 Aseari passed Fangio and on lap 6 Gonzalez did likewise. Fangio and Farina then made the first

of their pre-arranged fuel stops. Alfa had expected to need two tyre changes and so started on half-full tanks. but one change would proliably have suflieed. Two laps after his stiip Farina retired with a faulty gearbox. Pietselt ran off the road. After ten laps Gonzalez led Aseari by 52.4 see. These two changed roar tyres

and refuelled and went on unchallenged save by Fangio. The latter equalled Aseari’s best practice lap of 85.68 m.p.h. for the 15 miles and led, but his second stop nut Aseari ahead of him, and then the Alfa’s gearbox refused to allow Fangio any more full-speed-ahead. Pietsch again crashed, sensationally, but Was unhurt and Bonetto stopped with blower trouble.

Although Aseari made a second stop for tyres, he led to the finish, beating Fangio by 30.5 see., at 83.75 m.p.h. Gonzalez was third, Villoresi fourth, Tann, in a bit-popply car, fifth, to force home Ferrari’s supremacy. The post-race: rumours were thick—that Farina is not happy in the. Alfa-Romeo team and would like a change ; indeed, that Alfa had agreed to release Nino for Pescara. for which he tried to get a B.R.M.! And that Fangio may drive for MercedesBenz next year. The Monza race on September 10th should be very interesting indeed ! Britain dominated the 500-e.e. race. At first nothing could stop Stirling Moss in the Kieft, until a broken steering arm, variously reported by the agencies as broken front. axle. suspension and exhaust pipe, did. That was on lap 3, when he was 38 see. ahead of Brandon, and had lapped at 72.7 m.p.h., which no one else equalled. So Brandon won, iu the CooperNorton, at. 09.9 m.p.h. for the Six laps,

5.3 sec. ahead of team-mate Alan Brown, and Big Bill Whitehouse third in another Cooper-Norton, John Cooper fifth, Montgomery-Charrington sixth. Highest opposition was Svensson’s Effyh-.1.A.P.