A Brief History of Formula One

A Fiat takes a bend on a public road in Dieppe, northern France, in 1912
Topical Press Agency / Getty

Birth of Racing
Although the first official 'Formula One' race was at Silverstone, England, in 1950, the origins date back to the early road races which took place in France at the turn of the century. The distances were impossibly long by modern standards and drivers and spectators were often killed. In this trip down memory lane, a Fiat takes a bend on a public road in Dieppe, northern France, in 1912.

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