1948 French Grand Prix
The 1948 French Grand Prix was a Grand Prix motor race, held at Reims on 18 July 1948. The race was won by Jean-Pierre Wimille, driving an Alfa Romeo 158.
| 1948 French Grand Prix | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Race details | |||
| Date | 18 July 1948 | ||
| Official name | XXXV Grand Prix de l'ACF | ||
| Location | Reims | ||
| Course | Reims-Gueux | ||
| Course length | 7.774 km (4.831 mi) | ||
| Distance | 64 laps, 497.536 km (309.155 mi) | ||
| Pole position | |||
| Driver | Alfa Romeo | ||
| Time | 2:35.2 | ||
| Fastest lap | |||
| Driver |
 | Alfa Romeo | |
| Time | 2:41.2 | ||
| Podium | |||
| First | Alfa Romeo | ||
| Second | Alfa Romeo | ||
| Third | Alfa Romeo | ||
Report
Official practice was held in very wet conditions. In spite of this Jean-Pierre Wimille was able to set a time of 2:35.2, not far from the record set in 1939 in dry conditions, nearly 10 seconds faster than Alberto Ascari and nearly 20 seconds faster than the fastest non-Alfa Romeo, Philippe Étancelin's Talbot-Lago.
As expected, the three Alfa Romeos lead at the start from the Talbot-Lagos. However, Luigi Villoresi's Maserati, which started from near the back of the grid, quickly moved up into third place ahead of Consalvo Sanesi in the third of the Alfas. Villoresi was starting to challenge Ascari for second place when forced to pit for what would be the first of many mechanical issues. This allowed Alfa Romeo to take an easy 1-2-3 win, two laps ahead of the best Talbot-Lago. Although Wimille and Ascari would swap for the lead a few times, mostly as a result of pitstops, they finished in the order decided by team manager Giovanni Guidotti which required Ascari to slow and allow Sanesi to pass him just before the finish.[1]
Classification
| Pos | Driver | Car | Laps | Time/Retired | Grid[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
Alfa Romeo 158 | 64 | 3:01:07.5 | 1 |
| 2 |  |
Alfa Romeo 158 | 64 | + 24.5 | 3 |
| 3 | |
Alfa Romeo 158 | 64 | + 25.0 | 2 |
| 4 | |
Talbot-Lago T26C | 62 | + 2 laps | 6 |
| 5 | |
Talbot-Lago T26C | 62 | + 2 laps | 8 |
| 6 | |
Talbot-Lago T26C | 60 | + 4 laps | 10 |
| 7 | |
Maserati 4CLT/48 | 59 | + 5 laps | 16 |
| 8 | |
Delahaye 135S | 59 | + 5 laps | 9 |
| 9 |  |
Talbot-Lago T26SS | 56 | + 15 laps | 5 |
| 10 | |
Talbot-Lago T26SS | 45 | + 19 laps | 13 |
| Ret |  |
Simca-Gordini T11 | 41 | Engine | 11 |
| Ret | |
Maserati 4CL | 37 | Oil leak | 19 |
| Ret | |
Talbot-Lago 150C | 31 | Fuel Tank | 7 |
| Ret | |
Talbot-Lago T26C | 22 | Engine | 4 |
| Ret | |
Ferrari 166SC | 19 | Engine | 14 |
| Ret |  |
Maserati 4CL | 11 | Oil leak | 15 |
| Ret |  |
Alta GP | 7 | Clutch | 18 |
| Ret | |
Simca Gordini T11 | 5 | Engine | 17 |
| Ret | |
Maserati 4CM | 2 | Oil pressure | 12 |
| DNP | |
CTA-Arsenal | Not present | ||
| DNP |  |
ERA B-Type | Not present |
References
- http://www.silhouet.com/motorsport/archive/f1/nc/1948/1948.html#acf
- http://www.statsf1.com/en/1948-hc/grand-prix-33.aspx
- Hodges, David (1967). The French Grand Prix. pp. 135–138.
| Grand Prix Race | ||
|---|---|---|
| Previous race: 1948 Swiss Grand Prix |
1948 Grand Prix season Grandes Épreuves |
Next race: 1948 Italian Grand Prix |
| Previous race: 1947 French Grand Prix |
French Grand Prix | Next race: 1949 French Grand Prix |