Vintage photos show how Formula 1 has changed since its first season nearly 75 years ago

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Talia LakritzMar 1, 2024, 21:53 IST
Vintage photos show how Formula 1 has changed since its first season nearly 75 years ago

Formula 1 drivers at the 1951 Paris Grand Prix.Universal/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

  • Formula 1 held its first race 74 years ago in 1950.
  • Safety measures were more lax in the early years, but now include barriers and safety cars.

This year's Formula 1 season kicks off on March 2 with the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir.

A lot has changed since the first F1 race was held almost 75 years ago. Ahead of the new season, here's a look back at the early years of F1 races.

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The first Formula 1 World Championship race was held in 1950 at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, England.

The first Formula 1 World Championship race was held in 1950 at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, England.
The first Formula 1 race on May 13, 1950.Allsport/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Formula 1 was initially formed in 1946 and formalized in 1947, but the first world championship race wasn't held until 1950, ESPN reported. Giuseppe Farina of Italy won first place.

King George VI attended the race with his daughters, then-Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.

King George VI attended the race with his daughters, then-Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.
King George VI with Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret at the British Grand Prix in 1950.PA Images via Getty Images

Two years later, George VI died of coronary thrombosis and Queen Elizabeth ascended to the British throne.

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In the 1950s, racers wore plain uniforms with no featured sponsorships.

In the 1950s, racers wore plain uniforms with no featured sponsorships.
Formula 1 drivers at the 1951 Paris Grand Prix.Universal/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

Formula 1 drivers posed for a photo in 1951 at the Paris Grand Prix wearing their jumpsuits, head coverings, and goggles.

The race cars featured retro touches like plaid upholstery.

The race cars featured retro touches like plaid upholstery.
The cockpit of a racecar at the Grand Prix of Great Britain in 1956. Bernard Cahier/Getty Images

At the British Grand Prix in 1956, the cockpit of the Connaught-Alta B race car was furnished with plaid fabric.

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Huge crowds gathered to watch racers zoom through the Monaco Grand Prix in 1955.

Huge crowds gathered to watch racers zoom through the Monaco Grand Prix in 1955.
The Monaco Grand Prix in 1955.Bernard Cahier/Getty Images

At the Monaco Grand Prix, Maurice Trintignant rode to victory in a Ferrari 625.

In 1961, tragedy struck when a race car crashed into the crowd, killing the driver and 15 spectators.

In 1961, tragedy struck when a race car crashed into the crowd, killing the driver and 15 spectators.
Wolfgang von Trips' crashed racecar at the Italian Grand Prix in 1961.AFP via Getty Images

German driver Wolfgang von Trips died after he was thrown from his racecar during a collision at the Italian Grand Prix.

Safety standards weren't as advanced in the early years of the F1. Yahoo News reported that 14 F1 drivers died throughout the 1960s.

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In subsequent years, racetracks featured protective barriers.

In subsequent years, racetracks featured protective barriers.
The Questor Grand Prix in 1971.Bernard Cahier/Getty Images

At the Questor Grand Prix in 1971, fans watched the race from a safe distance in the stands.

A Grand Prix race was televised in color for the first time in 1967.

A Grand Prix race was televised in color for the first time in 1967.
The German Grand Prix in 1967.Bernard Cahier/Getty Images

Viewers at home watched Denny Hulme win first place at the German Grand Prix in color on their TV screens.

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In 1968, Lotus cars featured the Imperial Tobacco logo for the first time.

In 1968, Lotus cars featured the Imperial Tobacco logo for the first time.
Graham Hill's Lotus race car at the Spanish Grand Prix in 1968.National Motor Museum/Heritage Images/Getty Images

Graham Hill won the Spanish Grand Prix held in Madrid in 1968 while driving a Lotus race car.

Uniforms also began to feature more sponsorships and endorsement deals in the 1970s.

Uniforms also began to feature more sponsorships and endorsement deals in the 1970s.
An Italian Formula 1 driver leaves the race track after his car broke down during the 1978 Argentine Grand Prix.Bauer/picture alliance via Getty Images

At the 1978 Argentine Grand Prix, drivers wore jumpsuits embroidered with logos for Miller beer, Gulf oil, Marlboro cigarettes, and other brands.

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In 1984, racers in the Austrian Grand Prix exclusively used cars with turbocharged engines.

In 1984, racers in the Austrian Grand Prix exclusively used cars with turbocharged engines.
A V6 Turbo engine at the 1984 Austrian Grand Prix.Paul-Henri Cahier/Getty Images

It was the first Formula 1 race where every car featured a turbocharged engine, ESPN reported.

Safety cars, which guide racers off the course in emergencies, were instituted in the 1990s.

Safety cars, which guide racers off the course in emergencies, were instituted in the 1990s.
The Renault Clio was the F1 safety car during the 1996 Argentine Grand PrixSteve Etherington / EMPICS via Getty Images

The first safety cars appeared at F1 races in the early 1970s. The International Automobile Federation formalized their presence on racetracks at the end of the 1996 season.

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Royals such as Prince Rainier, Princess Grace, Prince Albert, and Princess Caroline of Monaco remained a regular presence at Formula 1.

Royals such as Prince Rainier, Princess Grace, Prince Albert, and Princess Caroline of Monaco remained a regular presence at Formula 1.
Prince Albert and Princess Caroline of Monaco attend F1 in 1998.Michel Dufour/WireImage/Getty Images

Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco, and Prince Rainier of Monaco appeared at the Grand Prix of Monaco beginning in the 1950s. Their children, Prince Albert, Princess Caroline, and Princess Stephanie, went together in the 1980s and 1990s and still attend today.

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