The history of Formula 1 includes, among its historical champions, Italians such as Varzi, Scalari and Nuvolari. Drivers who have helped to consume the tracks where the history of the World Championships took place. Suffice it to say that the first Formula 1 race was held in Turin, at the Valentino Circuit, in 1946. And the Alfa Romeo 158 (called Alfetta) excelled on the first tracks, in those first competitions.
Achille Varzi and his Alfetta
But a car, however powerful it may appear, does not move without the help of the driver (at least until recently). On 1 September 1946, Alfetta did not cross the finish line autonomously. However, it was pilots like Achille Varzi who made a car an unstoppable arrow on the track, allowing Italy to win countless podiums. Not only in the increasingly numerous archives of triumphant drivers, but also in the history of the World Grand Prix. In fact, like any prodigy, Varzi boasts a sky full of victories and goals that have made him famous; but not only in the world of motoring. Even in the world of motorcycling, Varzi proves to be a great two-wheel driver. He even got the better of great motorcyclists like Tazio Nuvolari, thanks to whom he will later dominate the tracks of the various Grand Prix. And it will be for these victories that Enzo Ferrari himself will later be chosen as official Alfa Romeo driver.
Antonio Scalari and his Records
As it is true that "good blood does not lie", not even the son of Antonio Scalari will send them to say. Alberto, a versatile and determined driver, in fact, out of a total of thirty-two Grands Prix, will win thirteen, boasting seventeen podiums. Not to paraphrase records that see him as the last Italian driver to win the World Drivers' Title; record holder achieved for the highest percentage of victories achieved in a season full of racing; and finally, as if that were not enough, he was the only driver to have set the record for fastest laps conquered in consecutive races (we have seven, starting in 1952 in the Belgian Grand Prix, ending in 1953 with the Argentine Grand Prix).
Tazio Nuvolari, the champion
A similar story is that of Tazio Nuvolari, more motorcyclist than motorist, whose uncle, Giuseppe Nuvolari, was a professional cyclist for whom he will have a sincere admiration; feeling from which he will draw the spirit of emulation necessary to become a great champion too. From the very first moment, Nuvolari manifests itself as a two-wheeler prodigy. He immediately became the revelation of the year 1923, reconfirming himself over time and thus deserving the fame of "champion". While his racing career isn't as significant as his motorcycle career, that doesn't mean it wasn't as worthy. Nuvolari will also score excellent results on four wheels, receiving commendable praise from Enzo Ferrari; and in the future, in posthumous times, the appreciation of Ferdinand Porsche who will define him as “the greatest driver of the past, present and future”.
