Formula 1 - we recreate reality! 1951 season

[tommykl]

Robert Manzon, the championship leader is up next, and hopefully will not go the way of his teammates so far. He didn't, but wasn't specially quick either, enough for the front of the grid, but not even close to the untouchable Pilette.

Provisional standings
1. André Pilette
2. Giuseppe Farina
3. Juan Manuel Fangio
4. Robert Manzon
5. André Simon
6. B. Bira
7. Piero Taruffi
8. Consalvo Sanesi
9. Luigi Fagioli
10. Yves Giraud-Cabantous
11. Chico Landi
12. Franco Rol
13. Johnny Claes
14. Stirling Moss
15. Giovanni Bracco
16. Paul Frère

[tommykl]

Tony Bettenhausen was next, and was ART's only hope at taking a front row grid spot, which would 'avenge' his accident with Louis Chiron at Monaco, where Tony was sent to the hospital, thankfully with only minor bruising. However, Tony completed ART's horrendous qualifying with an underwhelming performance. His start to the lap was good, but he dropped the ball massively at Stavelot and failed to get up to speed in the last part of the circuit going up to La Source.

Provisional standings
1. André Pilette
2. Giuseppe Farina
3. Juan Manuel Fangio
4. Robert Manzon
5. André Simon
6. B. Bira
7. Tony Bettenhausen
8. Piero Taruffi
9. Consalvo Sanesi
10. Luigi Fagioli
11. Yves Giraud-Cabantous
12. Chico Landi
13. Franco Rol
14. Johnny Claes
15. Stirling Moss
16. Giovanni Bracco
17. Paul Frère

[tommykl]

Jacques Swaters retired while in the top 10 at Monaco, and would rather qualify there for his home race as well. Indeed he did, pulling off a very good performance, especially for the last few corners, to be able to mix it with the Alfas at the very front.

Provisional standings
1. André Pilette
2. Giuseppe Farina
3. Juan Manuel Fangio
4. Jacques Swaters
5. Robert Manzon
6. André Simon
7. B. Bira
8. Tony Bettenhausen
9. Piero Taruffi
10. Consalvo Sanesi
11. Luigi Fagioli
12. Yves Giraud-Cabantous
13. Chico Landi
14. Franco Rol
15. Johnny Claes
16. Stirling Moss
17. Giovanni Bracco
18. Paul Frère

[tommykl]

Charles Van Acker is now on the track. This is only his second major race in Europe, and will be looking to build on his fifth place at Indianapolis. This being the first time he drove at Spa, though, it wasn't surprising to see him off the pace a bit. He'll start in the midfield, and will be looking to make his way up the field during the race.

Provisional standings
1. André Pilette
2. Giuseppe Farina
3. Juan Manuel Fangio
4. Jacques Swaters
5. Robert Manzon
6. André Simon
7. B. Bira
8. Tony Bettenhausen
9. Charles Van Acker
10. Piero Taruffi
11. Consalvo Sanesi
12. Luigi Fagioli
13. Yves Giraud-Cabantous
14. Chico Landi
15. Franco Rol
16. Johnny Claes
17. Stirling Moss
18. Giovanni Bracco
19. Paul Frère

[tommykl]

Maurice Trintignant is ENB's best and last chance at getting pole. Pilette is alerady on a seemingly untouchable pole position, but nothing is certain. As it turned out, Trintignant's lap was good, but nothing special, while Pilette's tunner remained on top with a hefty gap over the very tight chasing pack, which now included Trintignant.

Provisional standings
1. André Pilette
2. Giuseppe Farina
3. Juan Manuel Fangio
4. Jacques Swaters
5. Robert Manzon
6. Maurice Trintignant
7. André Simon
8. B. Bira
9. Tony Bettenhausen
10. Charles Van Acker
11. Piero Taruffi
12. Consalvo Sanesi
13. Luigi Fagioli
14. Yves Giraud-Cabantous
15. Chico Landi
16. Franco Rol
17. Johnny Claes
18. Stirling Moss
19. Giovanni Bracco
20. Paul Frère

[tommykl]

Ferrari America resorted to a single car for Belgium, for Luigi Villoresi, hoping to get better results with an experienced driver. As it turned out, Villoresi showed himself to be the wrong driver the team should have picked, as his performance was simply horrendous. Despite taking the perfect line through Eau Rouge, he spun at Stavelot and spent the whole climb up to La Source losing time while getting back up to speed. He is provisionally last on the grid.

Provisional standings
1. André Pilette
2. Giuseppe Farina
3. Juan Manuel Fangio
4. Jacques Swaters
5. Robert Manzon
6. Maurice Trintignant
7. André Simon
8. B. Bira
9. Tony Bettenhausen
10. Charles Van Acker
11. Piero Taruffi
12. Consalvo Sanesi
13. Luigi Fagioli
14. Yves Giraud-Cabantous
15. Chico Landi
16. Franco Rol
17. Johnny Claes
18. Stirling Moss
19. Giovanni Bracco
20. Paul Frère
21. Luigi Villoresi

[tommykl]

Realistically speaking, Ferrari are the only ones left who may be able to take away the upset that would be André Pilette's pole position. Reg Parnell is the first of them to go out. He missed Monaco to race at Indianapolis, so his form could be surprising. His laptime was average, but his lap wasn't, as he was blindingly quick at some points and quite slow at others. The end result: a solid top-half grid spot.

Provisional standings
1. André Pilette
2. Giuseppe Farina
3. Juan Manuel Fangio
4. Jacques Swaters
5. Robert Manzon
6. Maurice Trintignant
7. André Simon
8. Reg Parnell
9. B. Bira
10. Tony Bettenhausen
11. Charles Van Acker
12. Piero Taruffi
13. Consalvo Sanesi
14. Luigi Fagioli
15. Yves Giraud-Cabantous
16. Chico Landi
17. Franco Rol
18. Johnny Claes
19. Stirling Moss
20. Giovanni Bracco
21. Paul Frère
22. Luigi Villoresi

[tommykl]

Toulo de Graffenried, fourth in the championship last year, is up next and wants to take his first win after taking three podiums last season. Those dreams may have to wait, as his qualifying performance was simply average. Enough for a top ten, ahead of Parnell, but not better. He could have stolen a front row spot, but in this incredibly competitive chasing pack, he ends up in the lower half of the top ten.

Provisional standings
1. André Pilette
2. Giuseppe Farina
3. Juan Manuel Fangio
4. Jacques Swaters
5. Robert Manzon
6. Maurice Trintignant
7. Toulo de Graffenried
8. André Simon
9. Reg Parnell
10. B. Bira
11. Tony Bettenhausen
12. Charles Van Acker
13. Piero Taruffi
14. Consalvo Sanesi
15. Luigi Fagioli
16. Yves Giraud-Cabantous
17. Chico Landi
18. Franco Rol
19. Johnny Claes
20. Stirling Moss
21. Giovanni Bracco
22. Paul Frère
23. Luigi Villoresi

[tommykl]

Dorino Serafini is now the last man who could steal pole away from Pilette. He's the man who has scored the most points since the start of the championship in 1950, with 28. However, his weekend looks like he's going the opposite of last season, when he won from pole with the fastest lap, as he was really off the pace for the whole lap, pretty much handing pole to Pilette on a silver plate, as he ends up mired in the midfield.

Provisional standings
1. André Pilette
2. Giuseppe Farina
3. Juan Manuel Fangio
4. Jacques Swaters
5. Robert Manzon
6. Maurice Trintignant
7. Toulo de Graffenried
8. André Simon
9. Reg Parnell
10. B. Bira
11. Tony Bettenhausen
12. Charles Van Acker
13. Dorino Serafini
14. Piero Taruffi
15. Consalvo Sanesi
16. Luigi Fagioli
17. Yves Giraud-Cabantous
18. Chico Landi
19. Franco Rol
20. Johnny Claes
21. Stirling Moss
22. Giovanni Bracco
23. Paul Frère
24. Luigi Villoresi

[tommykl]

Ecurie Albertini is next, and it's looking like mission impossible for them to get a good grid spot, as they have nothing going for them apart from their car. However, Grignard showed that he is in fact an experienced racer by pulling off the third best performance of the session behind Pilette and Swaters, although it's only good enough for 19th place provisionally.

Provisional standings
1. André Pilette
2. Giuseppe Farina
3. Juan Manuel Fangio
4. Jacques Swaters
5. Robert Manzon
6. Maurice Trintignant
7. Toulo de Graffenried
8. André Simon
9. Reg Parnell
10. B. Bira
11. Tony Bettenhausen
12. Charles Van Acker
13. Dorino Serafini
14. Piero Taruffi
15. Consalvo Sanesi
16. Luigi Fagioli
17. Yves Giraud-Cabantous
18. Chico Landi
19. Georges Grignard
20. Franco Rol
21. Johnny Claes
22. Stirling Moss
23. Giovanni Bracco
24. Paul Frère
25. Luigi Villoresi

[tommykl]

Hans Von Stuck's finish at Monaco may have been in the top 10, but it was due to attrition, so he'll be looking to get the same result this time again. On the contrary, he was really off the pace. Luckily, he's driving a Maserati, so he wasn't last, but he's got a lot of work to do if he wants a top ten in the race.

Provisional standings
1. André Pilette
2. Giuseppe Farina
3. Juan Manuel Fangio
4. Jacques Swaters
5. Robert Manzon
6. Maurice Trintignant
7. Toulo de Graffenried
8. André Simon
9. Reg Parnell
10. B. Bira
11. Tony Bettenhausen
12. Charles Van Acker
13. Dorino Serafini
14. Piero Taruffi
15. Consalvo Sanesi
16. Luigi Fagioli
17. Yves Giraud-Cabantous
18. Chico Landi
19. Georges Grignard
20. Franco Rol
21. Johnny Claes
22. Stirling Moss
23. Hans Von Stuck
24. Giovanni Bracco
25. Paul Frère
26. Luigi Villoresi

[tommykl]

David Hampshire's main rivals wer always going to be Georges Grignard and the other two privateers, Gordini and Whitehead, but with Grignard's stunner, David could only realistically go for third-last. His lap was nothing special, and the good performances by everyone else meant that Hampshire was left far behind in last position.

Provisional standings
1. André Pilette
2. Giuseppe Farina
3. Juan Manuel Fangio
4. Jacques Swaters
5. Robert Manzon
6. Maurice Trintignant
7. Toulo de Graffenried
8. André Simon
9. Reg Parnell
10. B. Bira
11. Tony Bettenhausen
12. Charles Van Acker
13. Dorino Serafini
14. Piero Taruffi
15. Consalvo Sanesi
16. Luigi Fagioli
17. Yves Giraud-Cabantous
18. Chico Landi
19. Georges Grignard
20. Franco Rol
21. Johnny Claes
22. Stirling Moss
23. Hans Von Stuck
24. Giovanni Bracco
25. Paul Frère
26. Luigi Villoresi
27. David Hampshire

[tommykl]

Phoenix's hopes are to qualify in the front half of the grid, and Gonzalez is the first of their two drivers to have a go. However, Gonzalez was very underwhelming on his lap, not enough to even get out of the bottom ten.

Provisional standings
1. André Pilette
2. Giuseppe Farina
3. Juan Manuel Fangio
4. Jacques Swaters
5. Robert Manzon
6. Maurice Trintignant
7. Toulo de Graffenried
8. André Simon
9. Reg Parnell
10. B. Bira
11. Tony Bettenhausen
12. Charles Van Acker
13. Dorino Serafini
14. Piero Taruffi
15. Consalvo Sanesi
16. Luigi Fagioli
17. Yves Giraud-Cabantous
18. Chico Landi
19. Georges Grignard
20. Franco Rol
21. Johnny Claes
22. José Froilan Gonzalez
23. Stirling Moss
24. Hans Von Stuck
25. Giovanni Bracco
26. Paul Frère
27. Luigi Villoresi
28. David Hampshire

[tommykl]

Alberto Ascari now had the responsability of saving Phoenix's qualifying session. This he did, with a good enough lap for a top-15 place on the grid.

Provisional standings
1. André Pilette
2. Giuseppe Farina
3. Juan Manuel Fangio
4. Jacques Swaters
5. Robert Manzon
6. Maurice Trintignant
7. Toulo de Graffenried
8. André Simon
9. Reg Parnell
10. B. Bira
11. Tony Bettenhausen
12. Charles Van Acker
13. Dorino Serafini
14. Alberto Ascari
15. Piero Taruffi
16. Consalvo Sanesi
17. Luigi Fagioli
18. Yves Giraud-Cabantous
19. Chico Landi
20. Georges Grignard
21. Franco Rol
22. Johnny Claes
23. José Froilan Gonzalez
24. Stirling Moss
25. Hans Von Stuck
26. Giovanni Bracco
27. Paul Frère
28. Luigi Villoresi
29. David Hampshire

[tommykl]

Now, it's the turn of the two privateers, with Graham Whitehead leading the way. To add to his inexperience and his car's poor performance, he made a few mistakes, ending up quite far behind even David Hampshire.

Provisional standings
1. André Pilette
2. Giuseppe Farina
3. Juan Manuel Fangio
4. Jacques Swaters
5. Robert Manzon
6. Maurice Trintignant
7. Toulo de Graffenried
8. André Simon
9. Reg Parnell
10. B. Bira
11. Tony Bettenhausen
12. Charles Van Acker
13. Dorino Serafini
14. Alberto Ascari
15. Piero Taruffi
16. Consalvo Sanesi
17. Luigi Fagioli
18. Yves Giraud-Cabantous
19. Chico Landi
20. Georges Grignard
21. Franco Rol
22. Johnny Claes
23. José Froilan Gonzalez
24. Stirling Moss
25. Hans Von Stuck
26. Giovanni Bracco
27. Paul Frère
28. Luigi Villoresi
29. David Hampshire
30. Graham Whitehead

[tommykl]

Aldo Gordini now had a chance to maybe get off of the back row. His lap in itself was impressive for the entire package, easily beating Hampshire and Whitehead, and actually coming close to beating the likes of Villoresi, Frère and Bracco.

Provisional standings
1. André Pilette
2. Giuseppe Farina
3. Juan Manuel Fangio
4. Jacques Swaters
5. Robert Manzon
6. Maurice Trintignant
7. Toulo de Graffenried
8. André Simon
9. Reg Parnell
10. B. Bira
11. Tony Bettenhausen
12. Charles Van Acker
13. Dorino Serafini
14. Alberto Ascari
15. Piero Taruffi
16. Consalvo Sanesi
17. Luigi Fagioli
18. Yves Giraud-Cabantous
19. Chico Landi
20. Georges Grignard
21. Franco Rol
22. Johnny Claes
23. José Froilan Gonzalez
24. Stirling Moss
25. Hans Von Stuck
26. Giovanni Bracco
27. Paul Frère
28. Luigi Villoresi
29. Aldo Gordini
30. David Hampshire
31. Graham Whitehead

[tommykl]

Scuderia Maremmana is a bit of an unknown. They're usually midfield, but can be horrendously bad or impressively good. In any case, they're the second oldest team on average, with 45-year-old von Brauchitsch and 51-year-old Biondetti. Von Brauchitsch is the first of them to go on his lap. The German made everyone forget his dismal showing in Monaco qualifying by reiterating his good performance last year at the same track to an even greater extent, by setting a laptime nearly as impressive as Pilette's, to get up to a stupefying second place on the grid. This is Scuderia Maremmana's time to shine.

Provisional standings
1. André Pilette
2. Manfred von Brauchitsch
3. Giuseppe Farina
4. Juan Manuel Fangio
5. Jacques Swaters
6. Robert Manzon
7. Maurice Trintignant
8. Toulo de Graffenried
9. André Simon
10. Reg Parnell
11. B. Bira
12. Tony Bettenhausen
13. Charles Van Acker
14. Dorino Serafini
15. Alberto Ascari
16. Piero Taruffi
17. Consalvo Sanesi
18. Luigi Fagioli
19. Yves Giraud-Cabantous
20. Chico Landi
21. Georges Grignard
22. Franco Rol
23. Johnny Claes
24. José Froilan Gonzalez
25. Stirling Moss
26. Hans Von Stuck
27. Giovanni Bracco
28. Paul Frère
29. Luigi Villoresi
30. Aldo Gordini
31. David Hampshire
32. Graham Whitehead

[tommykl]

To compensate von Brauchitsch's performance, Biondetti's lap was much more disappointing. His lap itself was quite slow, apart from Masta, which he took at break-neck speed to win huge amounts of time. Without that, he would have been in the bottom five on the grid.

Provisional standings
1. André Pilette
2. Manfred von Brauchitsch
3. Giuseppe Farina
4. Juan Manuel Fangio
5. Jacques Swaters
6. Robert Manzon
7. Maurice Trintignant
8. Toulo de Graffenried
9. André Simon
10. Reg Parnell
11. B. Bira
12. Tony Bettenhausen
13. Charles Van Acker
14. Dorino Serafini
15. Alberto Ascari
16. Piero Taruffi
17. Consalvo Sanesi
18. Luigi Fagioli
19. Yves Giraud-Cabantous
20. Chico Landi
21. Georges Grignard
22. Clemente Biondetti
23. Franco Rol
24. Johnny Claes
25. José Froilan Gonzalez
26. Stirling Moss
27. Hans Von Stuck
28. Giovanni Bracco
29. Paul Frère
30. Luigi Villoresi
31. Aldo Gordini
32. David Hampshire
33. Graham Whitehead

Qualifying times will be coming tomorrow, maybe even today if I have time.

[tommykl]

It seems I made a small mistake with Paul Frère. He gains 0.4 seconds and one position at the expense of Giovanni Bracco.

Full standings for qualifying
1. André Pilette (Ferrari) - 4:24.2
2. Manfred von Brauchitsch (Ferrari-Jaguar) - 4:25.8
3. Giuseppe Farina (Alfa Romeo) - 4:25.9
4. Juan Manuel Fangio (Alfa Romeo) - 4:26.0
5. Jacques Swaters (Ferrari) - 4:26.1
6. Robert Manzon (Gordini) - 4:26.6
7. Maurice Trintignant (Alfa Romeo) - 4:26.7
8. Toulo de Graffenried (Ferrari) - 4:26.8
9. André Simon (Maserati) - 4:27.6
10. Reg Parnell (Ferrari) - 4:27.7
11. B. Bira (Talbot-Lago-Talbot) - 4:27.9
12. Tony Bettenhausen (Gordini) - 4:28.7
13. Charles Van Acker (Alfa Romeo) - 4:28.8
14. Dorino Serafini (Ferrari) - 4:29.0
15. Alberto Ascari (Phoenix-Ferrari) - 4:29.2
16. Piero Taruffi (Metcalf) - 4:29.7
17. Consalvo Sanesi (Gordini) - 4:29.8
18. Luigi Fagioli (Maserati) - 4:30.0
19. Yves Giraud-Cabantous (Gordini) - 4:30.3
20. Chico Landi (Maserati-Ferrari) - 4:30.5
21. Georges Grignard (Talbot-Lago-Talbot) - 4:30.8
22. Clemente Biondetti (Ferrari-Jaguar) - 4:30.9
23. Franco Rol (Maserati) - 4:31.1
24. Johnny Claes (Maserati) - 4:31.2
25. José Froilan Gonzalez (Phoenix-Ferrari) - 4:31.6
26. Stirling Moss (Alfa Romeo) - 4:32.1
27. Hans Von Stuck (Maserati) - 4:32.2
28. Paul Frère (Metcalf) - 4:32.4
29. Giovanni Bracco (Ambrosiana-Maserati) - 4:32.7
30. Luigi Villoresi (Ferrari) - 4:32.9
31. Aldo Gordini (Simca Gordini-Gordini) - 4:33.2
32. David Hampshire (Alta) - 4:35.3
33. Graham Whitehead (ERA) - 4:36.6

[tommykl]

OK, so I've already run all drivers through Random.Org, and I can tell you that there will be 17 retirements, including possibly the mother of all big crashes, certainly the biggest yet in Formula 1.

[This]

Alfa-Romeo will not be happy now that ENB's both private Ferrari's are faster than their semi-works Alfa's...
In fact, the works Ferrari team will not be that happy either now the yellow cars are faster than the red ones.

[FantometteBR]

I just hope none of SPV's cars are in this pile-up you mentiond, Tommy...

[tommykl]

I just hope none of SPV's cars are in this pile-up you mentiond, Tommy...

It's not a pile-up, it's a one-car crash, but to give you an idea, on a scale of 1 to 7 with 1 being a spin/slight touch with the wall and 7 being definitely fatal, the crash is a 5.

[FantometteBR]

I just hope none of SPV's cars are in this pile-up you mentiond, Tommy...

It's not a pile-up, it's a one-car crash, but to give you an idea, on a scale of 1 to 7 with 1 being a spin/slight touch with the wall and 7 being definitely fatal, the crash is a 5.

Oh, I see... anyway, still my wishesd to nothing happen to one of mine or one of the others

[simonracer]

It's disappointing to see Franco qualify so far down the grid, he has his work cut out. We've told him to just try and get to the end here.

As for Indy, Nalon qualified well but had problems, and Nazaruk didn't do too well, but he is inexperienced.

And I hope Franco doesn't have the Level 5 crash. At a track like Spa, it's surprising that there aren't more massive accidents, especially when you consider the speed of the place and the unpredictable weather.

[AdrianSutil]

I just hope none of SPV's cars are in this pile-up you mentiond, Tommy...

It's not a pile-up, it's a one-car crash, but to give you an idea, on a scale of 1 to 7 with 1 being a spin/slight touch with the wall and 7 being definitely fatal, the crash is a 5.

Christ! Hope whoever it is will be ok.

[tommykl]

June 17th 1951, Belgian Grand Prix

I''ll once again be giving the order every five laps.

At the start, everyone got away cleanly. Nobody was involved in any kind of contact, and every driver made it to the end of lap 1. Pilette kept his lead at the start, but at the end of lap 1, he was behind von Brauchitsch and virtually on a dead heat with Giuseppe Farina. Apart from that, the top five stayed the same. At the very bottom (this is F1 Rejects, after all), Graham Whitehead passed Hampshire for second last. On lap 2, Hans von Stuck's gearbox failed, and he stopped his car at Stavelot. At the end of the lap, the top two stayed the same, while Fangio passed Farina for third position, while at the back, Whitehead also passed Aldo Gordini for 30th place.

Farina showed that he wasn't world champion for nothing by storming up to take the lead from von Brauchitsch, also passing Fangio and Pilette, the three of them locked in epic battle at the start of lap 4. Manzon also passed Swaters for fifth, and entered the points zone. Von Brauchitsch wasn't giving up without a fight and got a bit closer to Farina, leaving Pilette and Fangio a short way behind him. De Graffenried also passed Swaters for sixth. Two more drivers also retired, both with mechanical failures, as Gonzalez's engine failed while he was 25th and Bettenhausen's brakes failed from 14th place, though he was able to stop the car on one of the circuit's long straights.

Adding to the unusual streak of mechanical retirements, Johnny Claes retired from 23rd place and Robert Manzon's car stopped, losing a potential points finish. Manzon was fifth.

At the end of lap five, Farina still led from Pilette, Fangio and von Brauchitsch in no particular order, as they're pretty much three-wide down the pit straight. De Graffenried is fifth and rounds out the points. The top ten is completed by Trintignant, Swaters, Bira, Simon and Van Acker. Behind them, the last 18 line up like this: Parnell, Serafini, Fagioli, Giraud-Cabantous, Ascari, Sanesi, Taruffi, Landi, Biondetti, Rol (20th), Grignard, Moss, Villoresi, Whitehead, Gordini, Bracco, Frère, Hampshire.

Lap 6 saw some godd things, like fast laps by Pilette, confirming his second place, Biondetti moving up to 13th place, and especially Farina setting the fastest lap of the race to open his points tally for the season. However, we also saw the most horrifying moment in Formula 1 up to this point, when Luigi Fagioli slid on oil left behind by another car in the middle of Burnenville corner. The car span around and slid off a 90cm-tall banking at full speed, rolling twice before landing on its wheels. Racing fans extracted Fagioli from the wreckage and attempted to treat any injuries while the ambulance arrived. Fagioli was taken to Heusy hospital, and we have no news on his condition.

By now, the battle at the front was heating up. Farina still had a decent lead, but Pilette managed to stabilize the gap. Von Brauchitsch was still third ahead of Fangio, but the battle for fourth was hard-fought between Fangio, de Graffenried, Bira, Swaters and Van Acker. Maurice Trintignant also retired from the race with a flat tyre after running over debris from Fagioli's accident.

Farina made a mistake on lap 7 and was caught by Pilette, but still kept the lead of the race. de Graffenried and von Brauchtisch were in the same situation, only both were passed by the flying Bira, who was now in third with von Brauchitsch and de Graffenried rounding out the points. But where was Fangio? He was in the paddock, his car stalled in the escape road at La Source. A promising race for Alfa Romeo ended by a driver error made trying to defend from de Graffenried.

The battle didn't stop, however. Farina recovered nicely and started to rebuild a gap, while von Brauchitsch was now breathing down Pilette's neck with Bira dropping back and fighting with de Graffenried for fourth place. Bira was eventually passed by de Graffenried. Swaters was still sixth and just waiting for a retirement to enter the points. Graham Whitehead also retired from the race. Starting last, he had made it up to 21st place, and could have finished in a good position had he finished. The way he retired, however, was less disappointing than it was scary, as he ran wide at Blanchimont at high speed, spun and collided with the rock face on the circuit's left side. He got out of the car by himself, but was also taken to Heusy hospital for checks.

After lap 10, Farina still led from Pilette and von Brauchitsch scrapping over second place. De Graffenried and Bira round out the points, and the top ten is finished by Swaters, Parnell, Van Acker, Serafini and Simon. The 14 remaining drivers were, in that order, Giraud-Cabantous, Biondetti, Sanesi, Ascari, Rol, Taruffi, Landi, Moss, Grignard, Villoresi (20th), Frère, Bracco, Gordini, Hampshire.

Von Brauchitsch ended up winning the battle with Pilette on lap 11, and also made up ground on Farina in the process. Bira was losing ground, and was passed by Swaters, who was launching his attack and was now fighting with de Graffenried for fourth position. Bira was now between this group and the fierce battle for seventh place, between Van Acker, Serafini and Parnell. Biondetti also retired, suffering from an oil leak, out of 12th position.

Pilette got back at von Brauchitsch and again the two started to fight, with de Graffenried now a bit further ahead of Swaters but by no means safe. Indeed, Swaters was soon breathing down de Graffenried's neck again, and actually pushed the experienced Swiss into pushing his machinery too far. Indeed, de Graffenried's Ferrari broke down on lap 14, leaving Swaters in clean air and in fourth place. Or so he thought, as Reg Parnell broke away from the group behind and passed Swaters on the same lap.

At the end of lap 15, Farina still led, but Pilette was starting to catch up. Von Brauchitsch was still a cleat third, followed by Parnell, Swaters and bira, all in a big fight. The top ten is rounded out by Serafini, Van Acker, Simon and Giraud-Cabantous. The last 12 drivers are: Taruffi, Ascari, Rol, Sanesi, Moss, Landi, Grignard, Villoresi, Frère, Gordini (20th), Bracco, Hampshire.

Pilette was now very close to Farina, with von Brauchitsch equally close to Pilette, with Parnell now in a relatively safe fourth place, Swaters in an equally safe fifth, but with Bira still in striking distance. Von Brauchitsch fell a bit further behind the front two, while Swaters pulled out a quick lap to overtake Parnell for fourth position. Stirling Moss retired from the race on lap 17, by spinning at Eau Rouge and stalling on the side of the track on the slope, unable to start the engine again. After starting 26th, he had made his way back up to 15th place, and was aspiring for a top ten finish, but those hopes are now over.

Pilette finally retook the lead away from Farina on lap 18 and looks like he has the pace to win the race, while von Brauchitsch is falling back into the clutches of Swaters, who is now eyeing a spot on the podium with Parnell a short way behind. Parnell was quickly passed by Bira, who was now on fire, and also overtook Swaters for fourth, who was then passed by Parnell! Von Brauchitsch took the opportunity to pull away from them and consolidate his third position while Pilette increased his lead over Farina. Luigi Villoresi's race came to an end, as he slid wide at Blanchimont, damaging his suspension, forcing him to retire out of 17th position.

On lap 20, Pilette had a sizeable lead over Farina, who himself had a decent gap back to von Brauchitsch. Behind them came Bira and Parnell, rounding out the points. Swaters, Van Acker, Serafini, Giraud-Cabantous and Simon make up the rest of the top ten. The last ten remaining drivers are Taruffi, Sanesi, Ascari, Rol, Grignard, Landi, Gordini, Frère, Bracco and Hampshire.

The 20 drivers were then reduced to 19, when Aldo Gordini span on the pit straight, colliding with the concrete wall opposite the pits at relatively low speed. He got out of the car visibly in shock. A doctor was brought to evaluate any possible injuries, but he looks unharmed.

Van Acker was now the man in form, and was now virtually side-by-side with Parnell for fifth place, with Swaters just behind in seventh place. Pilette made a small mistake and Farina made up some of the gap, but not enough to make a large impact on the course of the race. Bira was still incredibly fast, and was now very close to passing von Brauchitsch for third position.

Van Acker was now in fifth place, having passed Parnell, as did Swaters, who was now in sixth position. At that point, Bira was at his peak and not only passed von Brauchitsch for third place, but also made up the whole gap between him and Farina. Yves Giraud-Cabantous also had to retire, when he returned to the pits with a faulty transmission. The damage was done, and he had to retire from ninth position.

Pilette then made a mistake and let Farina and Bira catch up, the three were now in epic battle with just five laps to go. Von Brauchitsch was still fourth ahead of Van Acker, closely followed by Parnell, Serafini and Swaters. Farina then dropped back a bit, and Pilette and Bira took the opportunity to leave him in their dust, fighting over the win like no one has ever seen. Farina was now in the clutches of von Brauchitsch. Almost simultaneously, Frère and Landi retired from the race with mechanical failures, leaving 16 cars on the track.

On lap 26, Bira passed Pilette and took the race lead, while Farina was passed by von Brauchitsch for third place. However, both groups were basically running at the same pace, making for a very exciting end to the race. The battle for fifth was also raging on between Serafini, Van Acker and Parnell. Bira was now pulling away from Pilette, but at the end of lap 27, with just two to go, he began to slow down a bit, leaving Pilette a great chance to catch up. Farina, meanwhile, had made his way back up into third, and looked like staying there permanently. A bit further back, Parnell won the battle for fifth, and had a big enough gap to not have to worry about it until the end.

This meant that the last battle within the points was for the lead. Farina attempted to make up the gap, but it was too little too late, and he had to settle for third. Pilette was making up the lost ground and was now only eight seconds behind Bira entering the final lap. He had already made up six seconds on lap 28, and Bira was gradually getting slower, making for a very exciting finish. At Eau Rouge, Pilette won back a second. Another at Kemmel, and two more at Burnenville, to be four seconds behind Bira at Masta. He continued to claw back up to Bira, gaining a second at Stavelot, one more at Carrière and another at Blanchimont, to be just a second behind at La Source. Pilette left the brakes until the last possible moment and was right behind Bira at the exit of the hairpin.

Pilette could use Bira's slipstream to take the win, and he tried to use it to his advantage. Sadly, the pit straight was too short, and Bira kept the lead, winning the race by just two tenths of a second (seriously, I had to use a randomizer to pick a winner, because they ended with the same amount of points). Farina finished in a safe third, with von Brauchitsch fourth and Parnell fifth.

1. B. Bira (Talbot-Lago-Talbot) 2:13:32.2
2. André Pilette (Ferrari) +0.2
3. Giuseppe Farina (Alfa Romeo) +40.1
4. Manfred von Brauchitsch (Ferrari-Jaguar) +56.1
5. Reg Parnell (Ferrari) +1:52.2
6. Dorino Serafini (Ferrari) +3:04.3
7. Jacques Swaters (Ferrari) +3:12.3
8. Charles Van Acker (Alfa Romeo) +3:12.4
9. André Simon (Maserati) +1 lap
10. Consalvo Sanesi (Gordini) +1 lap
11. Franco Rol (Maserati) +1 lap
12. Piero Taruffi (Metcalf) +1 lap
13. Alberto Ascari (Phoenix-Ferrari) +1 lap
14. Georges Grignard (Talbot-Lago-Talbot) +1 lap
15. Giovanni Bracco (Ambrosiana-Maserati) +3 laps
16. David Hampshire (Alta) +3 laps
Ret. Chico Landi (Maserati-Ferrari) +5 laps/Oil leak
Ret. Paul Frère (Metcalf) +6 laps/Engine
Ret. Yves Giraud-Cabantous (Gordini) +7 laps/Transmission
Ret. Aldo Gordini (Simca Gordini-Gordini) +10 laps/Accident
Ret. Luigi Villoresi (Ferrari) +11 laps/Accident damage
Ret. Stirling Moss (Alfa Romeo) +14 laps/Spun off
Ret. Toulo de Graffenried (Ferrari) +16 laps/Overheating
Ret. Clemente Biondetti (Ferrari-Jaguar) +19 laps/Oil leak
Ret. Graham Whitehead (ERA) +20 laps/Accident
Ret. Juan Manuel Fangio (Alfa Romeo) +22 laps/Spun off
Ret. Maurice Trintignant (Alfa Romeo) +23 laps/Puncture
Ret. Luigi Fagioli (Maserati) +24 laps/Accident
Ret. Robert Manzon (Gordini) +25 laps/Suspension
Ret. Johnny Claes (Maserati) +25 laps/Steering
Ret. Tony Bettenhausen (Gordini) +26 laps/Brakes
Ret. José Froilan Gonzalez (Phoenix-Ferrari) +26 laps/Engine
Ret. Hans Von Stuck (Maserati) +28 laps/Gearbox

Fastest lap: Giuseppe Farina - 4:22.8

Championship standings
Driver's championship
1. Robert Manzon - 9 (1 win, 1 Ret)
2. Troy Ruttman - 9 (1 win)
3. B. Bira - 8
4. Consalvo Sanesi - 6 (1 2nd, 1 10th)
5. André Pilette - 6 (1 2nd, 1 DNQ)
6. Jimmy Jackson - 6 (1 2nd)
7. Giuseppe Farina - 5
8. Dorino Serafini - 4 (1 3rd, 1 6th)
9. Bill Vukovich - 4 (1 3rd)
10. Manfred von Brauchitsch - 3 (1 4th, 1 DNQ)
11. Paul Pietsch - 3 (1 4th)
=. Myron Fohr - 3 (1 4th)
13. Charles Van Acker - 2 (1 5th, 1 8th)
14. Franco Rol - 2 (1 5th, 1 11th)
15. Reg Parnell - 2 (1 5th, 1 Ret)

Constructor's championship
1. Ferrari - 14
2. Alfa Romeo - 11
3. Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser - 9 (1 win, 1 2nd, 1 8th)
4. Gordini - 9 (1 win, 1 2nd, 1 10th)
5. Talbot-Lago-Talbot - 8
6. Ferrari-Jaguar - 3
7. Maserati - 2

Entrant's championship
1. Alfa Romeo SpA - 11
2. Ecurie Nationale Belge - 10
3. Ferrari America - 9 (1 win, 1 2nd, 1 8th)
4. Alexander Racing Team - 9 (1 win, 1 2nd, 1 10th)
5. Motorsport Bleu - 8
6. Scuderia Ferrari - 6
7. Scuderia Maremmana - 3
8. Redman Racing Team - 2

Entry spots allowed for the next races
Scuderia Ferrari - 15
Alfa Romeo SpA - 15
Scuderia Maremmana - 15
Motorsport Bleu - 15
Alexander Racing Team - 14
Ecurie Nationale Belge (Scuderia Belgio, Equipe de France, Garage Francorchamps) - 13
Redman Racing Team - 12
Claes Racing Developments - 11
Scuderia Platé-Varzi - 10
Team Metcalf GP - 10
Phoenix Racing Organisation - 10
Ecurie Albertini - 10
Jaguar - Aston Martin Racing - 6
Ferrari America - 5
Scuderia Commesso - 5
Hampshire Racing Alliance - 5
Scuderia Ambrosiana - 5
Aldo Gordini - 5
Graham Whitehead - 5
Eventual new teams - 5

[This]

Pilette has proven what he's worth and will be given another chance. However, he will have to do this in the rejectful Bugatti.

Page 1 updated. And will still be updated after every race, because ENB can still have some rejectful races. Though never as rejectful as Jaguar-Aston Martin, to whom i need to ask if they still need Paul Frère?
Currently, both Frère and Pilette will both get two races extra, which will use up 12 of the 13 allowed entries. All my drivers are available for the British GP.

[FantometteBR]

Now I am with much fear

[Shadaza]

Question! Is Villoresi terrible or just unlucky? His bad qualifying in Belgium seemed more down to the spin then anything and other then that I am not so sure.

[JeremyMcClean]

Pilette has proven what he's worth and will be given another chance. However, he will have to do this in the rejectful Bugatti.

Page 1 updated. And will still be updated after every race, because ENB can still have some rejectful races. Though never as rejectful as Jaguar-Aston Martin, to whom i need to ask if they still need Paul Frère?
Currently, both Frère and Pilette will both get two races extra, which will use up 12 of the 13 allowed entries. All my drivers are available for the British GP.

It's looking very likely that the dual team will be no more. I sense some disagreements in the air. Unless Wizzie objects, you can have Frere and Pilette. I'd wait until he confirms this.

[Wizzie]

Pilette has proven what he's worth and will be given another chance. However, he will have to do this in the rejectful Bugatti.

Page 1 updated. And will still be updated after every race, because ENB can still have some rejectful races. Though never as rejectful as Jaguar-Aston Martin, to whom i need to ask if they still need Paul Frère?
Currently, both Frère and Pilette will both get two races extra, which will use up 12 of the 13 allowed entries. All my drivers are available for the British GP.

It's looking very likely that the dual team will be no more. I sense some disagreements in the air. Unless Wizzie objects, you can have Frere and Pilette. I'd wait until he confirms this.

I have no objections in getting rid of those two as we're getting Trintignant in return for Silverstone and Gonzales for next year anyway

[tommykl]

Question! Is Villoresi terrible or just unlucky? His bad qualifying in Belgium seemed more down to the spin then anything and other then that I am not so sure.

He isn't terrible, but his lack of finishes up to this point are really hurting his stats, as is the lack of finishes for your team as well. However, he really should be in the midfield fighting for a spot in the top half, so yeah, he's incredibly unlucky with the numbers.

Pilette has proven what he's worth and will be given another chance. However, he will have to do this in the rejectful Bugatti.

Page 1 updated. And will still be updated after every race, because ENB can still have some rejectful races. Though never as rejectful as Jaguar-Aston Martin, to whom i need to ask if they still need Paul Frère?
Currently, both Frère and Pilette will both get two races extra, which will use up 12 of the 13 allowed entries. All my drivers are available for the British GP.

It's looking very likely that the dual team will be no more. I sense some disagreements in the air. Unless Wizzie objects, you can have Frere and Pilette. I'd wait until he confirms this.

I have no objections in getting rid of those two as we're getting Trintignant in return for Silverstone and Gonzales for next year anyway

As you wish

Now I am with much fear

I'll give an injury report shortly.

[tommykl]

Luigi Fagioli: 9 June 1898 - 18 June 1951

After his horrendous accident at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday, Luigi Fagioli was taken to the hospital with critical head and chest injuries, as well as severely broken legs. He was conscious when the ambulance arrived, but fell into a comatose state on his way to the hospital.

Fagioli was diagnosed with a fractured skull and cerebral haemorrhaging and was taken into surgery, but to no avail. Fagioli was pronounced dead on Monday morning at 3:51 a.m., leaving the entire Formula 1 paddock in shock. Fagioli had just turned 53.

All other drivers involved in accidents were uninjured.

[AdrianSutil]

Amèdee Gordini: Race means nohing now.
After hearing about the death of Luigi Fagioli, Mr.Gordini decided to cancel his post-race chat and drinks with journalists and mechanics, instead intructing the entire team to pack up quickly and leave for home. Mr.Lilly was able to say a few words however. "We are all in shock. Our race went from bad to worse but it's all irrelevent now because of Luigi. I'm so sorry for his family."

[Wizzie]

The loss of Luigi at Spa is a definite shock for us all and makes our entries getting rejected for Belgium seem like a mere drop in the ocean in comparison. Our thoughts are with Luigi's family at this time.

[East Londoner]

I passed the scene of Luigi's accident shortly after it had happened. It was not a pleasant sight. My thoughts go out to the Fagioli family and his team members.

[FantometteBR]

Scuderia Platé-Varzi and Officine Alfieri Maserati annouces through this release that with much pain in our hearts the death of our driver Luigi Fagioli. after a crash at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francochamps. We don't have words to speak how much we feel after the passing of our driver, an example of longevity and dedication through the racing ranks in Italy and around the European continent.

The medical staff tried all they could to keep Luigi alive after the horrendous accident, but it wasn't enough. All the Platé-Varzi employees, drivers and the partners of Maserati are already with his family, giving them all the assistance they need at this moment. The team will announce as soon as possible a date for the ceremonies of the wake and burial, as soon the body is officially cleared for that

We will request for the racing organization every information about the accident to think about a decision about the presence of Scuderia Platé-Varzi at the 1951 Formula One World Championship

With all regards

Scuderia Platé-Varzi

[tommykl]

Scuderia Platé-Varzi and Officine Alfieri Maserati annouces through this release that with much pain in our hearts the death of our driver Luigi Fagioli. after a crash at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francochamps. We don't have words to speak how much we feel after the passing of our driver, an example of longevity and dedication through the racing ranks in Italy and around the European continent.

The medical staff tried all they could to keep Luigi alive after the horrendous accident, but it wasn't enough. All the Platé-Varzi employees, drivers and the partners of Maserati are already with his family, giving them all the assistance they need at this moment. The team will announce as soon as possible a date for the ceremonies of the wake and burial, as soon the body is officially cleared for that

We will request for the racing organization every information about the accident to think about a decision about the presence of Scuderia Platé-Varzi at the 1951 Formula One World Championship

With all regards

Scuderia Platé-Varzi

The accident was caused by oil, probably left on the track by Gonzalez's blown Ferrari engine. Fagioli probably failed to notice the oil, and lost all grip when he ran over the slick. The car slid towards the side of the track, where there was a 90cm drop to the garden of a nearby house. The Maserati dug into the grass before the drop and started to roll before falling into the garden, partially throwing out Fagioli, who was pinned under the car.

The responsibility lies mainly with the engine of Gonzalez and the circuit itself, with Fagioli also partially responsible for failing to see the slick, which is also partly the responsibility of the marshalls who failed to display yellow flags.

Also, Gaze and Hawthorn's entries have been turned down for the French Grand Prix.

SuperAguri, you need to announce your second privateer. Moda92, you also need to state who will drive for your team for the rest of the year.

You have one week, as I'll be away for said whole of next week.

[AdrianSutil]

Before you go, ART-Gordini will pull two drivers from the next event to keep our entires reasonable. The two drivers are yet to be decided mind...