1950 Monaco Grand Prix

The 1950 Monaco Grand Prix was the second race of the 1950 Alternate Formula One season, held on May 21st 1950. The race was won by Giuseppe Farina ahead of Juan Manuel Fangio in an Alfa Romeo 1-2. The Siamese prince B. Bira finished third.

Background

32 drivers entered the race, twelve more than the 20 grid spots available. For the first time, drivers would have to fail to qualify. Also, some driver changes occurred, ensuring that the line-up would be different from the opening race at Silverstone.

The revolving-door third Talbot-Lago was driven by veteran Frenchman Philippe Etancelin, while a third Ferrari-Jaguar was wheeled out by Scuderia Maremmana to be driven by Roger Loyer. Alexander Racing Team and Aston Martin expanded as well, signing Robert Manzon and Raymond Sommer respectively. Ecurie Nationale Belge entered four cars for Legat, Yves Giraud-Cabantous, Eugène Chaboud and Eugène Martin.

Of the 29 drivers in Silverstone, only Pilette, Gerard, Walker and Nuvolari did not compete in Monaco, the latter two preferring to move straight on to Bremgarten.

Race Weekend

Qualifying

Alfa Romeo came out on top in qualifying, with Juan Manuel Fangio scoring his maiden pole position ahead of Giuseppe Farina. While Italian manufacturers once again dominated, the others were gaining ground, with B. Bira qualifying eighth and Robert Manzon thirteenth. However, the biggest surprise came from French motorcycle champion Roger Loyer, who qualified in fifth position for Scuderia Maremmana. British GP winner Louis Chiron qualified seventh.

Behind all the manufacturer teams, very little grid spots were left available for the smaller teams, and the lucky driver who scraped onto the grid was Harry Schell, who only barely outpaced Philippe Etancelin. Etancelin himself was the only Motorsport Bleu to fail, along with Dennis Poore's private Alfa Romeo, all four ENB cars, both Phoenixes, both Aston Martins and, more surprisingly, Luigi Villoresi's factory Ferrari.

Race

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