The first time that the term Formula One was used was during a race in 1948 called the Grand Prix de l'Albigeos at Albi in France, it was won by Luigi Villoresi in a Maserati. At least I believe that this race was the first race where this term was used (correct me if I am wrong).
Now what I am wondering is: what was it called before. I realise that the Formula before 1934 was called Formula Libre. But did they already call it F. Libre at that time or did we start using this name afterwards? I've also heard some people (several sources) say that before 1948 the term Formula A was used, was this term also used before WWII?
Leiff Snellmann on his wonderful website that I adore (the Golden Era of Grand Prix Racing) calls 1925 the 2.0 Formula, 1926-1927 the 1.5 Formula, 1928-1933 the Formula Libre, 1934-1937 the 750 kg. Formula and 1938-1941 the 3.5/4 Litre Formula. No doubt this is information is correct but how did people, in those pre-F.1 days call the cars and the formula? I'm sure they didn't say 'let's go and watch the F. 750 kg? or let's go and watch the 750 kg cars? Did they just call it Grand Prix cars? Did they use the world Formula? Was the term Formula A used, if so when?
Formula Libre / Formula A etc...
Started by
William Hunt
, Aug 11 2013 19:21
4 replies to this topic
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#2
Tim Murray
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Posted 11 August 2013 - 20:51
Check out these earlier threads for the rather confused situation relating to the use of the terms Formula A/B and Formula 1/2 in the late ‘40s.
When did the term 'Formula 1' first appear?
Formula A versus Formula One
Prior to this, my understanding is that the formula was referred to as either the Grand Prix Formula or the International Formula.
When did the term 'Formula 1' first appear?
Formula A versus Formula One
Prior to this, my understanding is that the formula was referred to as either the Grand Prix Formula or the International Formula.
#3
William Hunt
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Posted 11 August 2013 - 20:58
Apparently the second thread claims that the first race that was called a Formula 1 race was at Pau 1948 and not at Albi as I had read somewhere else. It all seems pretty confusing.
#4
Vitesse2
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Posted 11 August 2013 - 21:04
Or simply "The Formula".Prior to this, my understanding is that the formula was referred to as either the Grand Prix Formula or the International Formula.
Just as before the Great War most people called the Grand Prix de l'ACF "the Grand Prix".
Because in each case, there was only one.
#5
D-Type
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Posted 12 August 2013 - 10:49
I searched for "Formule Libre" on my Motor Sport DVD and the earliest reference was in the January 1933 edition. Thje article did not define the term and the tone of the article suggested that the readership would be familiar with the term.
I think the word "Formula" or "Formule" is of French origin and simply means "Set of rules". A search of the Motor Sport disc for "Formula" was inconclusive. I am sure that at some point in the early days of the 20th century someone writing in English would have referred to the "Gordon Bennet Formula" ,the"The ACF Formula", the "Grand Prix Formula" or even the "Voiturette Formula".
Reading all the previous threads it is clear that the terms "Formula One", sometimes written as "Formula 1" or "Formula I" and "Formula A" (and Formulae Two, 2, II, and B) were used almost indiscrimimately in the late 1940s, depending as much as anything on the whim of the writer. In 1950 when the British 500cc formula was given international status, it was universally referred to as "Formula Three", sometimes written "Formula 3" "Formula III" but never, never, as "Formula C". So the exclusive use of "Formula One" in its various formshas its origin there and not in the first Drivers' World Championship being run in 1950 (as Mr Ecclestone's organisations would have us believe).
Think about this for a minute. If you were running arace which you named the "**** Grand Prix" race for "grand prix" (Formula 1) cars there would be no need to include the term "Formula 1" in the race title or in any of the publicity including posters. It would of course have to be in the race regulations and possibly in the programme. If, on the other hand, your " **** Grand Prix" was to be for sports cars, Formule Libre, Formula 2 , or even Formula 3 (e.g. Luxembourg), then you would have to say to say so.
It was only in about the year 1999 or2000 that this began to matter when Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One group of companies registered, or was it a case of attempted to register, "Formula One", "Formula 1" F1 and all the variants as a Registered Trade Mark.
I think the word "Formula" or "Formule" is of French origin and simply means "Set of rules". A search of the Motor Sport disc for "Formula" was inconclusive. I am sure that at some point in the early days of the 20th century someone writing in English would have referred to the "Gordon Bennet Formula" ,the"The ACF Formula", the "Grand Prix Formula" or even the "Voiturette Formula".
Reading all the previous threads it is clear that the terms "Formula One", sometimes written as "Formula 1" or "Formula I" and "Formula A" (and Formulae Two, 2, II, and B) were used almost indiscrimimately in the late 1940s, depending as much as anything on the whim of the writer. In 1950 when the British 500cc formula was given international status, it was universally referred to as "Formula Three", sometimes written "Formula 3" "Formula III" but never, never, as "Formula C". So the exclusive use of "Formula One" in its various formshas its origin there and not in the first Drivers' World Championship being run in 1950 (as Mr Ecclestone's organisations would have us believe).
Think about this for a minute. If you were running arace which you named the "**** Grand Prix" race for "grand prix" (Formula 1) cars there would be no need to include the term "Formula 1" in the race title or in any of the publicity including posters. It would of course have to be in the race regulations and possibly in the programme. If, on the other hand, your " **** Grand Prix" was to be for sports cars, Formule Libre, Formula 2 , or even Formula 3 (e.g. Luxembourg), then you would have to say to say so.
It was only in about the year 1999 or2000 that this began to matter when Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One group of companies registered, or was it a case of attempted to register, "Formula One", "Formula 1" F1 and all the variants as a Registered Trade Mark.
