Alberto Ascari

Alberto Ascari (July 13, 1918 – May 26, 1955) was one of Formula One's first stars and the first great Ferrari driver.

Formula One career

The first official Formula One season took place in 1950, and the Ferrari team made its debut at Monte Carlo with Ascari, Villoresi, and the popular French driver Raymond Sommer on the team. Ascari finished 2nd in the race and later in the year shared a 2nd place at F1's first race in Monza. He was only 5th in the championship standings however. He won his first F1 race the following season on the Nurburgring circuit and added a win at Monza, finishing runner up to Juan Manuel Fangio.

Related Topics:
Formula One - 1950 - Monte Carlo - Raymond Sommer - Monza - Nurburgring - Juan Manuel Fangio

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With success in Europe, Enzo Ferrari supplied a car for Alberto in the Indianapolis 500, at the time an F1 event, in 1952. Ascari was the only European driver to race at Indy in its 11 years on the F1 schedule, but his day ended after 40 laps. That was the only time he didn't win an F1 race that season. Ascari's Ferrari dominated 1952, winning all six races in Europe that season and recording the fastest lap in each race. He nearly scored the maximum amount of points a driver could earn, but drivers were given points for fastest laps at the time, and he had to share a half point with another driver in one race.

Related Topics:
Enzo Ferrari - Indianapolis 500 - 1952

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He won three more consecutive races to start the 1953 season, giving him nine straight wins (not couting Indy) before his streak ended when he finished 4th in France, although it was a close 4th as the race was highly competitive. He earned two more wins later in the year to give himself a second consecutive World Championship. Ascari did not continue his dominance in 1954 as he failed to finish a race in his four attempts at F1, although he made up for it by winning the Mille Miglia.

Related Topics:
1953 - France - 1954 - Mille Miglia

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