1951 Spanish Grand Prix

Championship standings

Three drivers remain in title contention: Fangio leads on 27 points, Ascari is two behind on 25, and González is a further four back on 21.

Previous race

At Monza, Ascari won for the second consecutive race, closing to within two points of Fangio. Fangio’s Alfa retired with engine failure after pitting from the lead. Farina, having taken over Bonetto’s car on lap 30, inherited third but was slowed by fuel leakages and required two additional pit stops.

Championship permutations

Championship leader Fangio needs only a second place to win his maiden drivers’ title. Ascari must win and hope Fangio finishes below second to take the championship; González would need a combination of results in his favour from all three drivers.

Entrants

This is the first World Championship Spanish Grand Prix, held on the Pedralbes street circuit in Barcelona. Ferrari and Alfa Romeo each enter four cars. Ferrari field Ascari, Villoresi, González and Taruffi; Alfa Romeo run Fangio, Farina, Bonetto and de Graffenried. Ascari qualified fastest and shares the front row of the 4-3-4 grid with Fangio, González and Farina.

The two works teams have made contrasting tyre choices: Ferrari opt for 16-inch rear wheels while Alfa Romeo settle on 18-inch.