History of Formula One
The history of Formula One has its roots in the European Grand Prix motor racing of the 1920s and 1930s . However , the foundation of Formula One began in 1946 with the Fédération Internationale de l ' Automobile ' s ( FIA ' s ) standardisation of rules . A World Drivers ' Championship followed in 1950 . The sport ' s history necessarily parallels the history of its technical regulations ; see Formula One regulations for a summary of the technical rule changes . Although the world championship has always been the main focus of the category , non-championship Formula One races were held for many years . Due to the rising cost of competition , the last of these occurred in 1983 . National championships existed in South Africa and the UK in the 1960s and 1970s .
The early years
Formula One was first defined in 1946 by the Commission Sportive Internationale ( CSI ) of the FIA , forerunner of FISA , as the premier single seater racing category in worldwide motorsport to become effective in 1948 . It was initially known variously as Formula A , Formula I or Formula 1 with the corresponding " Voiturette " formula being titled Formula B , Formula II or Formula 2 . When the 500c formula was internationally recognised as Formula 3 in 1950 it was never titled as " Formula C " so the three International Formulae were " officially " titled Formula 1 , Formula 2 and Formula 3 .
In the beginning , the formula was largely based on pre-war regulations defined by engine capacity . The regulation expected to bring a new balance between supercharged and normally aspirated cars . Non supercharged 4.5 litre pre-war Grand Prix cars were allowed to race against the pre-war 1.5 litre supercharged ' voiturettes ' while pre-war supercharged 3 litre Grand Prix cars were banned . The first race under the new regulations was the 1946 Turin Grand Prix held on 1 September , the race being won by Achille Varzi in an Alfa Romeo 158 Alfetta .
Championships for drivers or constructors were not introduced immediately . In the early years there were around 20 races held from late spring to early autumn ( fall ) in Europe , although not all of these were considered significant . Most competitive cars came from Italy , particularly Alfa Romeo . Races saw pre-war heroes like Achille Varzi , Jean-Pierre Wimille and Tazio Nuvolari end their careers , while drivers like Alberto Ascari and Juan Manuel Fangio rose to the front
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