Formula One is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, which became the FIA Formula One World Championship in 1981, has been one of the premier forms of racing around the world since its inaugural season in 1950. The word formula in the name refers to the set of rules to which all participants' cars must conform. A Formula One season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix, which take place worldwide on both purpose-built circuits and closed public roads.
John Michael Hawthorn was a British racing driver. He became the United Kingdom's first Formula One World Champion driver in 1958, whereupon he announced his retirement, having been profoundly affected by the death of his teammate and friend Peter Collins two months earlier in the 1958 German Grand Prix. Hawthorn also won the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans, but was haunted by his involvement in the disastrous crash that marred the race. Hawthorn died in a road accident three months after retiring. With a total of three career World Championship Grand Prix wins Hawthorn has the lowest number of Grand Prix wins scored by any Formula One World Champion.
Scuderia Ferrari S.p.A. is the racing division of luxury Italian auto manufacturer Ferrari and the racing team that competes in Formula One racing. The team is also nicknamed "The Prancing Horse", in reference to their logo. It is the oldest surviving and most successful Formula One team, having competed in every world championship since the 1950 Formula One season. The team was founded by Enzo Ferrari, initially to race cars produced by Alfa Romeo. However, by 1947 Ferrari had begun building its cars. Among its important achievements outside Formula One are winning the World Sportscar Championship, 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Spa, 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, Bathurst 12 Hour, races for Grand tourer cars and racing on road courses of the Targa Florio, the Mille Miglia and the Carrera Panamericana. The team is also known for its passionate support base, known as the tifosi. The Italian Grand Prix at Monza is regarded as the team's home race.
The 1953 Formula One season was the seventh season of the FIA's Formula One racing. It consisted only of a number of non-championship motor races. As in 1952, all races counting towards the World Championship of Drivers, apart from the Indianapolis 500, were held for cars complying with Formula Two regulations rather than with Formula One, with the Indianapolis 500 held to AAA regulations.
The 1952 Formula One season was the sixth season of FIA Formula One motor racing. In comparison to previous seasons, the 1952 season consisted of a relatively small number of Formula One races, following the decision to run all the Grand Prix events counting towards the World Championship of Drivers to Formula Two regulations rather than Formula One. The Indianapolis 500, which also counted towards the World Championship, was still run to AAA regulations as in previous seasons.
Peter John Collins was a British racing driver. He was killed in the 1958 German Grand Prix, just weeks after winning the RAC British Grand Prix. He started his career as a 17-year-old in 1949, impressing in Formula 3 races, finishing third in the 1951 Autosport National Formula 3 Championship.
The Autódromo de Buenos Aires Oscar y Juan Gálvez is a 45,000 capacity motor racing circuit in Buenos Aires, Argentina built in 1952 under president Juan Perón, named Autódromo 17 de Octubre after the date of Loyalty Day until Perón's overthrow. It was later renamed after Argentinian racing driver brothers, Juan Gálvez (1916–1963) and Oscar Alfredo Gálvez (1913–1989).
The Dubai Autodrome is an FIA sanctioned 5.390 km (3.349 mi) motorsports circuit located in Dubailand, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The architects of the project were Populous and the circuit was designed by Clive Bowen of Apex Circuit Design.
Ibsley Circuit was a car racing circuit situated at RAF Ibsley, on the Fordingbridge to Ringwood Road in Hampshire, United Kingdom.
The 2nd Syracuse Grand Prix was a non-championship Formula Two motor race held in Syracuse, Sicily on 16 March 1952. Alberto Ascari, starting from pole, headed teammates Piero Taruffi and Giuseppe Farina in a Scuderia Ferrari 1-2-3. Luigi Villoresi set fastest lap in another works Ferrari.
The 4th Richmond Trophy was a non-championship Formula One motor race held at the Goodwood Circuit on 14 April 1952. The race was won by José Froilán González in a Ferrari 375, setting fastest lap in the process. Mike Hawthorn in a Cooper T20-Bristol was second and Duncan Hamilton third in a Talbot-Lago T26C.
The 4th Lavant Cup was a non-championship Formula Two motor race held at Goodwood Circuit on 14 April 1952. The race was won by Mike Hawthorn in a Cooper T20-Bristol, setting fastest lap in the process. Alan Brown and Eric Brandon in the same model of car were second and third.
The 1st Aston Martin Owners Club Formula 2 Race was a motor race, run to Formula Two rules, held on 3 May 1952 at Snetterton Circuit, Norfolk. The race was run over 10 laps of the circuit, and was won by British driver Dickie Stoop in a Frazer Nash Mille Miglia. Cliff Davis in a Cooper T14-MG was second and Bobby Pattenden in an HWM-Alta was third. Charles Bulmer in a BMW Special set fastest lap.
The XIV Eläintarhajot was a non-championship Formula One motor race held at Eläintarha, Helsinki on 11 May 1952. The race was won by Roger Laurent in a Talbot-Lago T26C by just one tenth of a second from Erik Lundgren.
The II Skarpnäcksloppet was a non-championship Formula One motor race held at Skarpnäck Airfield, Skarpnäck, Stockholm on 14 September 1952. The race was won by Gunnar Carlsson in a Mercury Special.
The 1st National Trophy was a non-championship Formula Two motor race held at Turnberry on 23 August 1952. The race was won by Mike Hawthorn in a Connaught A Type-Lea Francis, who started from pole. John Barber and Ninian Sanderson were second and third in their Cooper T20-Bristols.
The 1st West Essec CC Formula 2 Race was a non-championship Formula Two motor race held at Boreham Circuit on 21 June 1952. The race was won by Reg Parnell in a Cooper T20-Bristol, who also set fastest lap. Kenneth McAlpine was second in a Connaught Type A-Lea Francis and Bill Dobson was third in a Ferrrari 125. Ken Downing in another Connaught Type A started from pole position and finished fourth.
The 1st Joe Fry Memorial Trophy was a non-championship Formula Two motor race held at Castle Combe Circuit on 4 October 1952. The race was won by Roy Salvadori in a Ferrari 500, setting fastest lap in the process. Ken Wharton in a Frazer Nash FN48-Bristol was second and Ninian Sanderson third in a Cooper T20-Bristol. Stirling Moss started from pole in an ERA G-Type but retired just after halfway distance.
The 2nd Daily Mail Trophy was a non-championship motor race held for Formula One and Formula Two cars at Boreham Circuit on 2 August 1952. The race was won by Luigi Villoresi in a Ferrari 375, who also set pole and fastest lap. Chico Landi was second in another 375 and Mike Hawthorn was third in a Cooper T20-Bristol, and highest place Formula Two entrant.
The 2nd Grand Prix de Sables d'Olonne was a Formula Two motor race held on 13 July 1952 at Les Sables-d'Olonne, in Pays de la Loire, France. It was round 6 of Les Grands Prix de France Formula Two Championship. Race distance was decided not by distance but by time, the duration being 3 hours. The race was won by Luigi Villoresi in a Ferrari 500. Peter Collins was second in an HWM-Alta and Johnny Claes third in a Simca Gordini Type 15. Alberto Ascari started from pole in a Ferrari 500 and set fastest lap but crashed and retired.
George Abecassis