Formula 1 has released restored and colourised footage of the very first world championship race to commemorate the anniversary of the series’ birth.
Today, 13 May at 3pm UK time, marks exactly 75 years since the start of the first ever F1 world championship race at Silverstone.
A total of 21 cars entered the race, which was won by Nino Farina, who led an Alfa Romeo 1-2-3 ahead of Luigi Fagioli and Reg Parnell. Among the crowd of more than 150,000 was the King and Queen — as well as Motor Sport. You can read our original 1950 British Grand Prix report in the Archive
Farina would go on to win two more races that year to become Formula 1’s first world champion.
To celebrate the anniversary, a team of experts at Formula 1 have brought the race footage back to life using a variety of techniques to colourise and enhance the footage.
“Using advanced AI software, reference imagery, and manual painting techniques, the process painstakingly implants the original colours of the scene onto the moving imagery, bringing to life the people and surroundings of that day,” Formula 1 said in a statement explaining the restoration process.
“Specific elements such as the sky, grass, cars, and faces are electronically painted manually to truly bring the scene to life, using images of the cars and subjects, and F1 archive footage, to ensure accuracy.”
Also as part of the celebrations, F1 will stream seven full races over a period of 24 hours on its official YouTube channel.
On top of that, it will broadcast highlights from past decades, as well as current drivers and team bosses reflecting on their earliest memories of F1.
“Seventy-five years ago today our sport roared to life, and we are privileged to continue the incredible legacy of the brave drivers who raced for the ultimate prize on this day in 1950,” said Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
“It is fantastic to see this footage brought to life in full colour, and an amazing way to mark this historic moment.
“Today is a day when we can pay tribute to those who have come before us; drivers, engineers, team owners and of course, our fans, without whom we would not be in the position we are today.
“For 75 years we have innovated and driven the world forward, exciting our fans with feats of human endurance and speed that continue to amaze. Here is to the next 75 years and beyond for this incredible sport. Avanti Tutta!”
