The Birth of Formula One Ltd Edition Print
Peter Hearsey is a world-renowned motorsport artist whose work, well-known to
Duke customers, captures the speed, passion and power of two and four-wheeled
action. His latest piece, which Peter was putting the finishing touches to as we
went to press, captures perhaps one of the most significant moments in motor
racing history. It was at Silverstone 60 years ago that the modern Formula One
we know today was born, and this wonderful painting freezes in time forever the
moment when modern Grand Prix racing burst into life at the 1950 GP de l’Europe.
The painting is a riot of colour which conveys the explosive start to a new era,
showing legends like Juan Manuel Fangio, Guiseppe Farina, Luigi Fagioli and Reg
Parnell in a field dominated by Alfa Romeos and Maseratis. This print, limited
to just 850, celebrates a golden era of motor racing, as well as one of the most
important moments – The Birth of Formula One. As with all Peter Hearsey’s
prints, each is individually signed by the artist.
"The finished product is wonderful" Motorsport
"Utterly glorious" Octane
"Evocative footage...marvel at action from the inaugural
race" Autosport
On May 13th, 1950, Britain’s Silverstone circuit hosted a race
which would go down in history – the very first Grand Prix of the modern Formula
One era. The glamorous and exciting F1 of today traces its roots back to the
1950 British Grand Prix – this was the Birth of Formula One.
Bookcases are heaving with dusty volumes recalling the advent of modern F1
and numerous dry documentaries featuring the opinions of ‘experts’ have been
filmed, but this DVD is no history lecture – it is full-throttle, action-packed
look at the races, the cars and the stars which brought us the multi-billion
dollar F1 of the 21st century.
Utilising rarely-seen black and white footage from the archive of BP, we are
treated to the glorious sights and sounds of the first modern Formula One race,
the 1950 British GP, also known as the Grand Prix d’Europe. We see the Alfa
Romeo 158s of Guiseppe Farina, Juan Manuel Fangio, Luigi Fagioli and Reg Parnell
do battle on the converted airfield racetrack.
Then we witness, in colour, three amazing GPs from 1951, when the
supercharged Alfa 159Bs went head-to-head with the 4.5 litre Ferraris at Reims,
Silverstone and the Nurburgring. Farina, Fangio and Parnell are joined by Jose
Froilan Gonzales and Aberto Ascari as the peaceful summer days are shattered by
the thundering engines, squealing tyres and cheers from packed grandstands.
Our journey through the formative years of modern Formula One concludes with
a return to the legendary ‘Ring for the German Grands Prix of 1953 and 1954.
British stars including Stirling Moss and Mike Hawthorn joined the ranks of the
F1 legends, as Maserati, Mercedes and Cooper started to challenge the
established order. Extraordinary black and white footage records two now
legendary races around the daunting Nurburgring.
These were the races which paved the way for the Grand Prix racing of today –
this is The Birth of Formula One.
"A grass paddock for Grand Prix cars and a race start delayed by over 40
minutes - this certainly ins't anything that Bernie Ecclestone presides over.
Though 1950s racing footage is often grainy, this DVD offers viewers a chance to
see it in sharp black and white, and even colour. The 11th Grand Prix d'Europe
in 1950, European motor racing in 1951, the Nurburgring in 1953 and 25 years of
motor racing at the 'Ring all get their own short films, and some races are
meshed together with clips from practice as well. The finished product is
wonderful. The Tagline 'the races which paved the way for the Grand Prix racing
of today' is certainly true. However, you'll struggle to find many similarities,
and that's what makes these films so good. An Alfetta at speedon the
Nordschleife, Dick Seaman winning the German Grand Prix in 1938, Auto
Unions...just right to keep you going until Bahrain"
Motorsport
"This is worth the asking price just for the BP 'short' celebrating 25
years of the Nurburgring. The footage of the Silver Arrows - some of it from
grands prix, some of it staged - is utterly glorious. Equally great is the
Castrol film of the 11th Grand Prix d'Europe at Silverstone, with the
'revolutionary' BRM V16 making its public debut for a demo"
Octane
"Using evocative footage from the BP video library, this film charts the
early years of F1, now in its 60th season. Marvel at action from the inaugural
race - at Silverstone in 1950 - and selected races from '51, '53 and '54. The
'51 GPs, at Reims, Silverstone and the 'ring, are the best, thanks to use of
full-colour" Autosport
"Formula One celebrates its 60th anniversary this year and this DVD is
the latest in a succession of books and DVDs marking the occasion. The Birth of
Formula One includes rare footage from the British GP in 1950, the very first F1
championship event. This DVD is one for enthusiasts with a detailed interest;
they'll particularly enjoy the colour footage from the 1951 season, plus
detailed accounts from two of the first F1 races at the original
Nurburgring" Autocar