View source for 1953 British Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One World Championship race; 1953)

{{InfoboxLost
|title=<center>1953 British Grand Prix</center>
|image=1953britishgrandprix1.jpg
|imagecaption=Alberto Ascari taking the chequered flag.
|status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span>
}}
The '''''1953 British Grand Prix''''' was the sixth round of the 1953 Formula One World Championship. Held on 18th July at the Silverstone Circuit, the 90-lap race would be won by Ferrari's Alberto Ascari, who had also qualified on pole. The race made television history, as it became the '''first Formula One race to be televised live'''.

==Background==
The 1953 British Grand Prix was the fourth time that the British Grand Prix was held. Prior to the event, defending champion Alberto Ascari was leading the standings on 28 points, ahead of Mike Hawthorn, who had scored 14 points.<ref>[https://statsf1.com/en/1953/france/championnat.aspx ''STATS F1'' providing the championship standings heading into the 1953 British Grand Prix.] Retrieved 13 Oct '21</ref> The race, like others held in 1952 and 1953, would actually be run under Formula 2 regulations, to encourage a larger competitor field to attend events following the withdrawal of Alfa Romeo after the 1951 World Championship.<ref>[https://topgear-autoguide.com/category/formula-1/f1-world-cup-1952-and-1953-when-formula-2-became-formula-11607102762 ''Topgear-Autoguide'' detailing how the 1952 and 1953 World Championships were held under Formula 2 regulations.] Retrieved 13 Oct '21</ref>

The event would experience more exposure than most Formula One races back then, as the BBC was interested in televising it. Prior to the Second World War, the BBC had broadcast many sports for the first time, including football, cricket, and rugby.<ref>[https://swlondoner.co.uk/sport/19032021-rugby-tv-debut-calcutta-cup-televised-83-years-on/#:~:text=On%20March%2019th%201938%2C%2083,Toft's%20English%20side%2021%2D16. ''SW Londoner'' listing some of the sports the BBC televised for the first time live prior to the Second World War.] Retrieved 13 Oct '21</ref> While Formula One did not exist until 1950, the BBC had a history of televising motor racing stretching back to 1937, when it televised an [[1937 International Imperial Trophy Race (lost footage of motor race; 1937)|International Imperial Trophy race on 9th October]].<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/48df02d5f1aa49b2b55c6a12aa0a54f8 Issue 731 of ''Radio Times'' listing the International Imperial Trophy race, the first motor race to be televised live.] Retrieved 13 Oct '21</ref> 

BBC cameras were therefore situated at Silverstone,<ref>[https://motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/august-1997/55/50-british-grands-prix ''Motorsport Magazine'' noting BBC cameras were present at Silverstone, capturing footage for the television broadcast.] Retrieved 13 Oct '21</ref> and commentary was provided by Raymond Baxter, a fighter pilot and prominent television and radio presenter.<ref>[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ec85DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA146&lpg=PA146&dq=1953+British+Grand+Prix+bbc&source=bl&ots=xNy0yszCyL&sig=ACfU3U3NPu_-j-tdqwHrERGhtW0Wy47q6Q&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjUqfy4msjzAhU3AWMBHTEGCOU4ChDoAXoECBEQAw#v=onepage&q=1953%20British%20Grand%20Prix%20bbc&f=false ''Speed Read F1: The Technology, Rules, History and Concepts Key to the Sport'' crediting Raymond Baxter as the commentator for the race.] Retrieved 13 Oct '21</ref> Baxter would also be present for the Thursday practice session, in a television broadcast that explained some of the terminology and workings of motor racing, as well as introduce the audience to some of the racing personalities and cars that made motor racing unique.<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/ff82e79220e04df88320ecfba16eba77?page=34 Issue 1,548 of ''Radio Times'', listing the Thursday broadcast as ''Background to Sport: Motor Racing''.] Retrieved 13 Oct '21</ref> The actual race would be broadcast on Saturday and would be expected to last from 11:30 to 2:30, complying with the international agreement where the Grand Prix must last three hours.<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/ff82e79220e04df88320ecfba16eba77?page=43 Issue 1,548 of ''Radio Times'', detailing the expected race time start and end, as well as providing a ''Silverstone Special'' column from Raymond Baxter.] Retrieved 13 Oct '21</ref> The BBC would dedicate its Television Service to broadcasting the race for the entire expected duration plus a fifteen-minute overlap, with the broadcast being expected to end by 14:45.

According to issue 1,548 of ''Radio Times'', multiple other events would also be held on Saturday, including 500cc., sports car and Formula Libre events. This explains further listings in the issue, including the 500cc. race expected to be held from 10-11, the sports car race from 15:30-15:45, and other events from 16:00-16:15 and 16:35-17:00. Further, a BBC recording would be broadcast showcasing highlights of the Silverstone races from 22:35-23:05.<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/service_bbc_television_service/1953-07-18 BBC Genome archive of ''Radio Times'' issues listing the races that would be broadcast on the 18th, including the 1953 British Grand Prix.] Retrieved 13 Oct '21</ref><ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/ff82e79220e04df88320ecfba16eba77?page=46 Issue 1,548 of ''Radio Times'' listing all of the races BBC Television Service was expected to broadcast on the 18th.] Retrieved 13 Oct '21</ref> Despite the historic nature of the broadcast, the BBC would only occasionally broadcast Formula One races in the 1950s and 1960s, with regular coverage generally occurring from 1979 onwards.<ref>[https://motorsportbroadcasting.com/history/ ''Motorsport Broadcasting'' noting the BBC did not provide regular coverage of Formula One until 1979.] Retrieved 13 Oct '21</ref>

==The Race==
Qualifying occurred on the 16th, in a session affected by rain. Ascari qualified on pole for Ferrari with a time of 1:48.0, a full second ahead of Maserati's José Froilán González, and 1.2 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Hawthorn. Former champions Juan Manuel Fangio and Nino Farina rounded out the top five, driving for Maserati and Ferrari respectively.<ref>[https://statsf1.com/en/1953/grande-bretagne/qualification.aspx ''STATS F1'' listing qualifying results for the race.] Retrieved 13 Oct '21</ref>

In the race itself, Fangio made a good start, taking the lead at the first corner. However, his Maserati then drifted wide, allowing Ascari to overtake him. Ascari led Fangio, Gonzalez and Ferrari's Luigi Villoresi, with Hawthorn last having spun backwards at the Woodcote Corner and having survived a high-speed gyration that could have resulted in career-ending injuries if a crash occurred. The only damage however would be a slight fuel leak on his Ferrari. Ascari broke the lap record shortly after with a time of 1:51, only for Gonzalez to set an equal time on the next lap. Therefore, Ascari drove even faster to extend the gap between himself and the Maserati, with the fastest lap of the race at 1:50. Because both achieved the fastest laps, Ascari and Gonzalez would both be awarded an additional half-point each, in addition to any points they would earn in their current positions.

The top four would for a long while consist of Ascari, Fangio, Villoresi and Gonzalez, Gonzalez having lost a place because he was instructed to enter the pits due to a concern his Maserati was leaking oil. He nevertheless continued. As expected, Ferrari and Maserati would occupy most of the top places, while many of the other entries began to falter. Ascari was comfortably ahead by lap 25, and would only continue to dominate the race. Villoresi would retire on lap 65 because of a broken rear axle. The grid would then consist of Ascari, Fangio, Gonzalez, Farnia, and Hawthorn, who had managed to recover following his early spin.

In the final half-hour of the race, heavy rain and hail affected proceedings, taking more competitors out of the race. Ascari remained unaffected though, and won the race after 90 laps, a full minute ahead of Fangio. Farnia would at some point overtake Gonzalez for third, holding out for the final podium spot, with both drivers being two laps down from Ascari. Hawthorn finished in the-then final points-paying position of fifth, a further lap down from the winner.<ref>[https://motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/august-1953/15/the-vith-rac-british-grand-prix August 1953 issue of ''Motorsport Magazine'', providing a detailed report of the race.] Retrieved 13 Oct '21</ref><ref>[https://statsf1.com/en/1953/grande-bretagne/classement.aspx ''STATS F1'' listing the race results.] Retrieved 13 Oct '21</ref> As a result of his victory, Ascari extended his lead in the championship to 17.5 points ahead of Hawthorn. González overtook Villoresi to third in the standings with 13.5 compared to Villoresi's 13, while Fangio moved up to fifth, also on 13 points, with four races still to go.<ref>[https://statsf1.com/en/1953/grande-bretagne/championnat.aspx ''STATS F1'' listing the championship standings following the race.] Retrieved 13 Oct '21</ref>

==Availability==
Unlike many other BBC sports television firsts, televised footage of the 1953 British Grand Prix could have been recorded, as methods to directly record live television was possible following the Second World War.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/BbcTelevisionReceivedInNewYork-1938 ''Web Archive'' article discussing how telerecording became possible following the Second World War.] Retrieved 13 Oct '21</ref> While it is unlikely the whole race was recorded, the telerecording listed by ''Radio Times'' suggested at least some of the race, including the other Silverstone events, were captured and re-broadcast. However, as of the present day, this telerecording has never resurfaced, and has likely become a victim of wiping, a common practice by the BBC back then so that it could re-use its tapes.<ref>[https://mentalfloss.com/article/501607/wipe-out-when-bbc-kept-erasing-its-own-history#:~:text=By%20the%20time%20BBC%202,to%20ensure%20their%20continued%20survival. ''Mental Floss'' detailing the extent of wiping, which likely affected any recorded footage of the 1953 British Grand Prix.] Retrieved 13 Oct '21</ref> The televised footage is therefore presumed to be lost. Nevertheless, a one-minute ''British Pathé'' newsreel of the race remains publicly accessible.

==Gallery==
===Videos===
{{Video|perrow  =1
  |service1     =youtube
  |id1          =6q6-CHEOO_c
  |description1 =Footage of the race from ''British Pathé''.
}}

===Images===
<gallery mode=packed heights=300px>
1953britishgrandprix2.jpg|''Radio Times'' issue listing Thursday's ''Background to Sport: Motor Racing'' .
1953britishgrandprix3.jpg|''Radio Times'' issue listing radio coverage for the race, and Raymond Baxter's "Silverstone Special''.
1953britishgrandprix4.jpg|''Radio Times'' issue listing the various broadcasts of Silverstone events, including the 1953 British Grand Prix (duration included under the 500cc event).
</gallery>

==See Also==
===Formula One Media===
*[[2005 San Marino Grand Prix (partially found ITV advert break during final laps of Formula One race; 2005)]]
*[[Donkey Does F1 (partially found photos of Shrek character inflatable at Formula One races; 2004)]]
*[[F-1 World Grand Prix III (lost build of cancelled Nintendo 64 Formula One racing game; 2000-2001)]]
*[[F1 2010 (lost pre-alpha build of Formula One game; 2010)]]
*[[F1 Racing Championship 2 (lost build of cancelled PC/PlayStation 2 Formula One game; 2001)]]
*[[Fernando Alonso's 2015 testing accident (lost footage of Formula One test session crash; 2015)]]
*[[Grand Prix 3 (lost build of cancelled Dreamcast port of PC Formula One racing game; 2001)]]
*[[Grand Prix 4 (lost build of cancelled Xbox port of PC Formula One racing game sequel; 2002)]]
*[[McLaren MP4-18 (lost footage of unraced Formula One car; 2003)]]
*[[Racing Arrows (partially found Formula One TV series; 2001)]]
*[[Robert Kubica's 2010 Japanese Grand Prix Q3 lap (lost audio of Formula One qualifying lap; 2010)]]
*[[Williams FW15C (partially found footage and lap time information of unraced CVT Formula One car; 1993)]]

===Early BBC Sports Television===
*[[1931 Epsom Derby (lost televised footage of horse racing event; 1931)]]
*[[1937 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1937)]]
*[[1937 International Imperial Trophy Race (lost footage of motor race; 1937)]]
*[[1937 Wimbledon Championships (partially found footage of tennis tournament; 1937)]]
*[[1938 Ashes Series (partially found footage of international test cricket match; 1938)]]
*[[1938 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1938)]]
*[[1939 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1939)]]
*[[1947 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1947)]]
*[[1955 Scottish Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1955)]]
*[[Archery (lost early televised toxophily; 1937-1938)]]
*[[Arsenal 7-1 Hibernian (lost footage of charity football match; 1952)]]
*[[Arsenal vs Arsenal Reserves (lost footage of early BBC televised football match; 1937)]]
*[[Barnet 3-2 Wealdstone (lost footage of Athenian League football match; 1946)]]
*[[The Boat Race 1938 (partially found footage of rowing race; 1938)]]
*[[Catch-As-Catch-Can Wrestling (lost early BBC televised professional wrestling matches; 1938-1939; 1946-1947)]]
*[[Charlton Athletic 1-0 Blackburn Rovers (lost footage of FA Cup match; 1947)]]
*[[Darts and Shove Ha'penny (lost early BBC televised darts matches; 1936-1939)]]
*[[England 0-1 Scotland (partially found international football match; 1938)]]
*[[England 1-1 Scotland (partially found footage of international football match; 1947)]]
*[[England 16-21 Scotland (partially found footage of rugby match; 1938)]]
*[[England 3-0 France (partially found footage of international football match; 1947)]]
*[[England 3-0 Rest of Europe (partially found footage of international football match; 1938)]]
*[[Falkirk 3-2 Newcastle United (lost footage of football match; 1953)]]
*[[Horace Lindrum vs Willie Smith (lost footage of televised snooker; 1937)]]
*[[Scottish Universities 1-1 English Universities (lost footage of international football match; 1952)]]
*[[Woods and Jack (lost early televised lawn bowls; 1937; 1946)]]

===Early BBC Television===
*[[Alexandra Palace's wartime television demonstrations (lost footage of private television transmissions; 1943, 1945)]]
*[[An Inspector Calls (lost television adaptation of play; 1948)]]
*[[Ann and Harold (lost early BBC drama television series; 1938)]]
*[[BBC Election Night (lost coverage of British general elections; 1950-1951)]]
*[[The Care of Your Car (lost early BBC motoring show; 1947)]]
*[[Cook's Night Out (lost early BBC cooking show; 1937)]]
*[[Craftsmen at Work (lost early BBC documentary show; 1938, 1946)]]
*[[Dish of the Month (lost early BBC cooking show; 1937)]]
*[[First Aid (lost early BBC medical show; 1937)]]
*[[Foundations of Cookery (lost early BBC cooking show; 1939)]]
*[[Marcel Boulestin television shorts (lost early BBC programs; 1937-1939)]]
*[[Masks through the Ages (lost early BBC history talk show; 1937)]]
*[[Opening of the BBC Television Service (partially found coverage of inaugural day of high-definition television service; 1936)]]
*[[The Orchestra and its Instruments (lost early BBC music talk show; 1937)]]
*[[RCA recording of BBC Television Service (found footage of pre-Second World War BBC television broadcast; 1938)]]
*[[Sea Stories (lost early BBC talk show; 1936-1937)]]
*[[Spelling Bee (lost early BBC game show; 1938)]]
*[[Telecrime (lost early BBC crime drama; 1938-1939; 1946)]]
*[[The Wasp's Nest (lost early BBC television adaptation of Agatha Christie short story; 1937)]]
*[[Weaponless Self-Defence (lost early ju-jitsu television program; 1936-1937)]]
*[[The World of Women (lost early BBC talk show; 1937)]]

===Early Sports Television Media===
*[[1934 Philo T. Farnsworth broadcasts (lost early television demonstrations; 1934)]]
*[[1936 Summer Olympics (lost television coverage of Berlin Games; 1936)]]
*[[1938 Pennsylvania Quakers football season (lost early televised college football games; 1938)]]
*[[1960 Daytona Races (lost CBS and NBC televised footage of NASCAR prelude events to Daytona 500; 1960)]]
*[[1962 Trenton 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1962)]]
*[[Bill Longson vs Whipper Billy Watson (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 1947)]]
*[[Brooklyn Dodgers 2-5 6-1 Cincinnati Reds (lost footage of MLB doubleheader; 1939)]]
*[[Brooklyn Dodgers 23-14 Philadelphia Eagles (lost footage of NFL game; 1939)]]
*[[Columbia Lions 1-2 Princeton Tigers (partially found footage of college baseball game; 1939)]]
*[[Fordham Rams 34-7 Waynesburg Yellow Jackets (lost footage of college football game; 1939)]]
*[[Indianapolis 500 WFBM-TV Broadcasts (lost racing footage; 1949-1950)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Lost recordings of sports events]]
[[Category:Partially found media]]
[[Category:Historic]]