STORY OF THE DAY: Fangio secures his first world championship

Juan Manuel Fangio won the Spanish Grand Prix at Pedralbes in the number 22 Alfa Romeo 159 on 28 October 1951. The victory in the final round of the World Championship allowed him to defeat Ferrari’s Alberto Ascari for the title and claim the first of his five drivers’ championships.

Tyres shaped the contest on Barcelona’s fast street circuit. Ferrari’s wheel and tyre choice led to repeated failures, while Fangio maintained a controlled pace and brought the Alfa Romeo home securely. His measured drive converted Ferrari’s early promise into a decisive Alfa victory.

The 159 was the ultimate development of Alfa Romeo’s pre-war 158. Its supercharged 1.5-litre straight-eight delivered exceptional power, but at the cost of formidable fuel consumption, making race planning and refuelling central to its success. Pedralbes was the final World Championship appearance for the dominant Alfetta line.

Fangio, born in Balcarce, Argentina, rose through South American road racing before reaching Europe. Renowned for mechanical understanding, tactical intelligence and adaptability, he became the defining Grand Prix driver of the 1950s. His first crown was earned against Ferrari at the moment when the young Maranello team was becoming Alfa Romeo’s principal challenger.