This is the first in a series of insights that Motorsport News will run across the course of the 2024 season to celebrate this, the 75th anniversary season of grand prix racing. Formula 1 has constantly evolved and changed over the course of the last seven and a half decades but remains as the pinnacle of motorsport.
When looked upon today, the 48-page programme for the first-ever World Championship points-scoring Formula 1 race offers a remarkable glimpse into a bygone age. On Saturday, May 13, 1950, the former RAF airfield of Silverstone was given the honour of hosting the 11th Grand Prix d’Europe (incorporating the second British Grand Prix) and the foreword to the programme makes for fascinating reading.
‘This is the greatest occasion in the history of motor racing in this Country. It is hoped this race will find favour with Their Majesties and with all who have gathered here today or who may be listening to this event ‘on the air’.’
Seven-and-a-half decades ago there was no live television coverage of this historic motor race, which was attended by over 100,000 spectators. In that week’s , the schedule for the BBC Light Programme states: Commentaries on the ‘warming-up lap and the start of the race begin at 2.50pm’. The listings then reveal the radio at 3.15pm’.
