(04) 1948: Ferrari 125 F1

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For the 125 S, Enzo Ferrari and Gioachino Colombo had already thought of using the same power unit in a Grand Prix single-seater, the forerunner to today's F1.  At the time, regulations required a 1.5 liter engine with a supercharger. In parallel with the normally aspirated version, Colombo developed the 1500 cc booster, which led to the first Grand Prix Ferrari, the 125 F1. During the second half of 1948, testing started and it was clear it would be a long process. Although the Roots single stage supercharger was still powering the car, it lost power a lot at high revs, so it couldn't match the Alfa Romeo 158 or Maserati 4CLT's performance. With just a wheelbase of 2160 mm, the Gilco chassis kept the 125 F1 compact, handled well, and was easy to handle.  On 5 September 1948, the single-seater made its debut at the Valentino Grand Prix. The cars were assigned to Prince Bira of Siam, Nino Farina and Raymond Sommer, who took a strong third place behind an Alfa Romeo and a Maserati. When Enzo Ferrari was on the verge of giving up because of its already high cost, that result convinced him to keep racing Grand Prix. The Ferrari 125 F1 was modified both mechanically with a new two-stage supercharger and cosmetically with a new radiator grill and tail in 1949-50.