1951 Italian Grand Prix
Background
Before the Italian Grand Prix, the World Championship situation was as follows: Fangio led with 27 points and 10 points ahead of Ascari at the World Cup. Would he win the race including fastest lap, he would be world champion, even if Ascari second would. Although Fangio the points from the Grand Prix of France would be deleted after the victory, while Ascari could still full points, but Ascari wins the last Grand Prix in Spain, as well as his points would be deleted from France races, so that he came to a maximum of 29 points, while Fangio has already 31. Under favorable conditions for them even Farina and González had chances at the title.
Alfa Romeo stepped in with the three more developed models of type 159M. The vehicles had improved machine, a stiffened chassis, Dion rear axles and a modified rear end. They were provided by Fangio, Farina and Bonetto available while Sanesi should drive a model without these modifications. Because of fire injuries he had suffered in another race, but took over de Graffenried the car.
Ferrari announced no less than five official Trailer of type 375 Besides the regular cast another car to Taruffi and debutant Chico Landi were awarded. Private Ferrari brought Rudolf Fischer and Peter Whitehead at the start.
B.R.M. was again reported two vehicles. But after the training, the Parnell a starting spot in the second row and the newcomer Ken Richardson would have a backed up in the third row, the latter, however, the license was refused and so the more likely adventitious Hans Stuck took the wheel. Both cars, however, had transmission problems so the team decided not to start.
Training
With the improved truck succeeded Fangio and Farina, to distance the Ferrari again for 1-2 seconds. However, this was not nearly as much as it was the case on courses with lots of long straights in the past. Fangio secured pole position in front of Farina, the front row was completed by the two Ferrari Ascari and González. Ferrari debutant Landi got along not so good and could only qualify for the fourth row.
Race
Fangio use the pole position to a good start and led the field for the first three laps before Ascari filed past him. Breakfast was over the race for Landi, Whitehead and de Graffenried, who had to give up all in the first two rounds. Farina had to give up in the seventh round with engine failure. One lap later succeeded Fangio to come over again to Ascari. In the 13th round, however, Fangio got a puncture and had to return slowly to the pits where he dropped back to fifth place. Through a pit stop Villoresis and an overtaking maneuver against Bonetto he could work your way back up to third place rapidly. In the 30th round of the excreted Farina took over the car Bonettos, lying in fourth place. Ascari and González were not displaced by their pit stops of their traditional positions, Fangio, however, had to end his hunt for the leaders in the 39th round when he had to endure engine damage. Throughout the second half of the race there were no shifts in position. Only Farina was able to maintain pressure on the leaders, but a tasty petrol tank forcing him to insert an additional stop for refueling, but without a position to lose. Ascari won by almost 45 seconds ahead of Gonzalez. All other drivers were back at least one lap. The decision in the drivers' world championship now had to fall in the last race.
Message list
Classification
Line-up
Race results
Standings after the race
The first five were 8, 6, 4, 3, 2 points; one point there was for the fastest lap. There are only the four best results from the eight races. * Includes the point for the fastest lap, the same color marked fields show a vehicle pick-up ( division points ) and numbers in parentheses are void results.