Ascari pensive but crowned

Alberto Ascari seems pensive, sitting in his Ferrari 500 (magnificent photo above) before the start of the 1953 German Grand Prix held on the formidable Nürburgring circuit (22.810 km and 176 turns) where no fewer than 34 drivers were at the start, a record that would never be beaten again. Behind Ascari, we recognize the blond Mike Hawthorn, also sitting in his single-seater.

This race was won by Nino Farina in a Ferrari 500 (picture below), one minute ahead of Juan Manuel Fangio (Maserati). This would be the last victory for Farina, the 1950 world champion, in Formula 1.

Alberto Ascari, who started from pole position, was forced to retire, but was nevertheless crowned F1 world champion for the second consecutive time, as his two direct rivals for the title, Fangio and Hawthorn, were no longer able to catch him in points with two races remaining in the championship.