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Alfa RomeoCar ProfilesFormula 1

Alfa Romeo 158 #2

Avatar photoDennis David

Alfa Romeo 158

Car: Alfa Romeo 158  / Engine: 8-Cylinder In-line / Maker: Alfa Romeo / Bore X Stroke: 58 X 70 mm / Year: 1950 / Capacity: 1,479 cc / Class: Formula 1 / Power: 350 bhp at 8,500 rpm, 425 bhp at 9,300 rpm (1951) / Wheelbase: 98.6 inch / Track: 50 inch front, 52 inch rear / Weight: 1,565 lbs (Dry) / Tires: 5.50 x 17, 7.00 x 18 rear

The moment the flag fell to mark the beginning of the first ever F1 World Championship race on May 13th 1950 at Silverstone there was little doubt what car would cross the finish line first. Four Alfa Romeo 158s lined up ahead of all others thus continuing their 3 year long domination. One Alfetta (which means ‘Little Alfa’ in Italian because of its compact dimensions) retired during the race but the others finished 1-2-3 and left their nearest opponent 2 laps behind.

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Dennis David
Founder of Grand Prix History website (now part of Sports Car Digest), David is a walking encyclopedia of all things Grand Prix. He has researched and written about the history of Grand Prix Motor Racing through the lives of its greatest drivers, people and events with a special focus on the history of Formula 1.
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