Description

The Ferrari F1 4.5 L, often referred to as the Ferrari 375 F1, was introduced in 1950 and represented Ferrari’s first serious contender in the newly created Formula One World Championship. While Ferrari had already been competing in Formula Two and non-championship Grand Prix events with smaller-displacement cars such as the 125 F1 and 166 F2, the 375 F1 was built specifically to meet the 4.5-liter naturally aspirated engine regulations of Formula One’s opening years. It was this car that truly established Ferrari as a front-line competitor against Alfa Romeo, which dominated the championship at the time with its 158 and 159 “Alfetta” models.

At the heart of the Ferrari F1 4.5 L was Aurelio Lampredi’s naturally aspirated V12 engine, designed to replace Gioachino Colombo’s earlier supercharged 1.5-liter units. Lampredi’s philosophy was to build larger-displacement engines with simpler, more robust designs that produced reliable power without the complications of forced induction. The result was a massive 4,493 cc V12, producing around 350 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, a remarkable figure for the early 1950s. This engine was paired with a five-speed manual gearbox and mounted in a tubular steel chassis with independent front suspension and a de Dion rear axle.

The 375 F1’s bodywork followed the typical single-seater style of the era, with a slim, cigar-shaped form, exposed wheels, and a long nose covering the large V12. Its proportions reflected the size of its engine, giving it a muscular stance compared to the smaller and more compact Alfa Romeos. At around 800 kilograms, it was heavier than its rivals, but the extra power from its big V12 compensated for much of the weight disadvantage, especially on fast, power-dependent circuits.

In competition, the Ferrari 375 F1 made its debut at the 1950 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, the final round of the first Formula One World Championship. While Alfa Romeo’s cars still held the upper hand, the Ferrari showed promise. Its breakthrough came the following year, in 1951, when José Froilán González drove a 375 F1 to victory at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. This win was historic—it marked Ferrari’s very first Formula One World Championship Grand Prix victory, breaking Alfa Romeo’s dominance and announcing Ferrari as a new powerhouse in the sport.

Though the 375 F1 never won a world title, its significance cannot be overstated. It laid the foundation for Ferrari’s Formula One program and introduced the Lampredi big-block V12 engines that would evolve through the 1950s. It also set the stage for drivers like González and Alberto Ascari to bring Ferrari into contention for championships. By the time the 375 was replaced by newer designs, Ferrari had firmly established itself as Alfa Romeo’s successor in Formula One supremacy.

Today, the Ferrari F1 4.5 L (375 F1) is revered as one of the most important cars in Ferrari’s history. It was the car that delivered the Scuderia’s first Formula One victory and proved that Enzo Ferrari’s vision—to build his own cars to beat the marques he once drove for—was not only possible but destined for greatness. The 375 F1 remains a symbol of Ferrari’s arrival on the world stage, embodying the raw power and ambition of Formula One’s earliest years.