Sunday 18th January 1953

The inaugural Argentine Grand Prix was marred by the death of at least seven people and injuries to dozens more when on the 40th lap Nino Farina ploughed into the crowd which had spilled onto the edge of the track as he tried to avoid a spectator who had tried to cross the circuit. Farina himself escaped with minor leg injuries. Before the start an estimated 200,000, swelled by the decision not to charge for admission, were packed inside the Buenos Aires Autodrome, and by the time the race started they had poured through security fences and onto the perimeter. Despite the tragedy the grand prix continued throughout and was won by Alberto Ascari – he took pole, led throughout, recorded the fastest lap and lapped the entire field.