The 1951 French GP, the third round of the World Championship, saw the best drivers of the time compete. Four Alfa Romeo 159s showed up on the Reims circuit against three Ferrari 375s and Reg Parnell’s Thinwall Special. Among the pilots the return of Louis Beans at Alfa Romeo and the debut of Froilan Gonzalez at Ferrari.
Qualifying saw Juan Manuel Fangio and Nino Farina stand out for Alfa Romeo, with Ferrari’s Alberto Ascari completing the front row. At the start, Ascari took the lead followed by Fangio, but both were forced to retire prematurely. With Farina also out of the game due to technical problems, the race opened up to new protagonists.
José Froilán González he took the lead for Ferrari, with Luigi Fagioli in hot pursuit. During pit stops, Fagioli handed over the wheel to Fangio, while Ascari replaced González. Despite the changes, Farina, having recovered after a difficult start, held the lead until his second pit stop, when he was again hit by magneto problems, slipping back in the standings.
Ascari, struggling with brake problems, was unable to trouble Fangio, who took the win by a minute. Ascari was classified second, with Giuseppe Villoresi third, three laps behind. Parnell completed the top five, ahead of an unlucky Farina.
A triumph for Fangio and Alfa Romeo, the result of a shrewd strategy and a pinch of luck.
