Sunday 28th October 1951
Three drivers were within striking distance of the World title coming to the final round of the 1951 season, the Gran Premio de España in Pedralbes: Juan Manuel Fangio (27 points), Alberto Ascari (25) and José Froilán González (21). Ascari was the quickest in qualifying but a poor tyre choice, against the advice of Pirelli, left the Ferraris struggling. Fangio won the race in style and with it the championship. It was to be the first of five world titles he would secure over the coming seven years. Second step on the podium went to his countryman Gonzalez with team-mate Giuseppe Farina back in third.