In the aftermath of the Second World War, the motorsport world was in need of revival. By the late 1940s, there were only four Grand Prix races in existence. While the concept of a World Championship was already conceived, it wasn’t until 1947 that real progress began to take shape. The AIACR (Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus) was reorganized and renamed the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), based in Paris. This move laid the foundation for a formalized motorsport structure.
By the end of the 1949 racing season, the FIA announced that starting in 1950, a unified Grand Prix World Championship for Formula One drivers would be established. A scoring system was introduced, and a select group of seven races were chosen to be part of this prestigious championship. The first race of the new Formula One World Championship was held on May 13, 1950, at the iconic Silverstone circuit in the United Kingdom, marking the official birth of what would become the pinnacle of motorsport.
In the early years, Italy dominated the Championship. Italian manufacturers and drivers were the pioneers of Formula One’s success. The first-ever Formula One World Champion was Giuseppe Farina, who drove an Alfa Romeo to victory. Ferrari, another legendary Italian manufacturer, made its debut in the second race, held at the Monaco Grand Prix. Ferrari holds the unique distinction of being the only manufacturer to have competed in every season of Formula One’s history, becoming an integral part of the sport’s identity.
The 1950 season marked the beginning of a legacy that has continued to grow, evolving into one of the most exciting and globally recognized motorsport competitions in the world.