NEW DELHI: On 13 May 1950, at precisely 15:00, history was made at Silverstone, UK, as the first Formula 1 World Championship race roared to life. The event, part of a seven-race series at the time, set in motion 75 years of excitement, drama, and innovation that has since transformed Formula 1 into the global sporting phenomenon we know today.
To mark this monumental milestone, Formula 1 has released restored and colourised footage of the inaugural race, giving fans the chance to witness a historic moment in vivid detail like never before. Using advanced AI software, reference imagery, and manual painting techniques, a team of experts at Formula 1 painstakingly recreated the scene, bringing to life the victory by Italy’s Giuseppe “Nino” Farina in the Alfa Romeo. The historic footage allows viewers to see the first Formula 1 World Drivers’ Champion in a whole new light, adding depth to the iconic moment.
The restoration process involved the electronic painting of specific elements, such as the sky, grass, cars, and faces, to ensure the accuracy of the scene, with images from F1’s extensive archive providing the necessary reference. This impressive restoration effort has not only provided a fresh perspective on Farina’s victory but has also immortalised the making of the first Formula 1 World Champion.
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Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, shared his excitement:
“75 years ago today, our sport roared to life, and we are privileged to continue the incredible legacy of the brave drivers who raced for the ultimate prize on this day in 1950. It is fantastic to see this footage brought to life in full colour, and an amazing way to mark this historic moment. Today is a day when we can pay tribute to those who have come before us—drivers, engineers, team owners, and of course, our fans, without whom we would not be in the position we are today. For 75 years, we have innovated and driven the world forward, exciting our fans with feats of human endurance and speed that continue to amaze. Here is to the next 75 years and beyond for this incredible sport. Avanti Tutta!”
The release of this restored footage is part of a day-long celebration that includes a 24-hour YouTube stream featuring seven full classic races, highlights from across the decades, and reflections from current F1 drivers and team principals on their earliest memories of the sport.
75 Years.
In the blink of an eye.#F1 pic.twitter.com/WFJSq2orMA
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 13, 2025
Formula 1 in Numbers: A Legacy of Speed and Innovation
As part of the 75th-anniversary celebrations, Formula 1 also shared a selection of remarkable statistics that showcase the sport’s legacy:
- 1,131 Grands Prix
- 787 drivers from 41 countries have started a Formula 1 Grand Prix
- 151 drivers from the US, 148 from the UK, and 85 from Italy have competed
- 34 different Drivers’ Champions and 115 Grand Prix winners
- 216 podium finishers and 107 polesitters
- 77 circuits across 34 countries, with 11 circuits appearing only once on the calendar
- 363,956.169 km driven since the 1950 British Grand Prix, equating to:
- 9 times around the Earth
- 17 days of non-stop flying at 900 km/h
- 152 days of non-stop driving at 100 km/h
- 95% of the way to the Moon
- 9 tyre makers have contributed to the sport’s evolution
Age and Records in Formula 1
Formula 1 has also seen a range of remarkable records, with notable achievements in age statistics:
- Max Verstappen is the youngest driver to win a race, at 18 years, 7 months, and 15 days (2016 Spanish Grand Prix).
- Luigi Fagioli is the oldest driver to win a Grand Prix, at 53 years and 22 days (1951 French Grand Prix).
- Sebastian Vettel holds the record for the youngest driver to win a World Championship at 23 years, 4 months, and 11 days.
- Juan Manuel Fangio is the oldest World Champion, at 46 years, 1 month, and 11 days.
- Lewis Hamilton holds the record for the most wins in Formula 1, with 105 victories, followed by Michael Schumacher with 91 wins, and Max Verstappen with 64 wins.
Legendary Drivers and Circuits
The sport’s history is also defined by legendary drivers and iconic circuits:
- Fernando Alonso holds the record for the longest-serving driver in Formula 1 history, competing for 24 years and 2 months, starting his career at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix.
- The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza has hosted the most Grands Prix, with 74 races, followed by Circuit de Monaco with 70 and Silverstone with 59.
- Lewis Hamilton also holds the record for the most podiums at a single circuit, having finished on the podium at Silverstone 15 times.
Formula 1’s 75th anniversary serves as a celebration of its rich history and the drivers, teams, and fans who have helped shape its legacy. As the sport continues to evolve, it remains a thrilling testament to human achievement, speed, and passion.
