With the 98 contributed by Fernando Alonso, Spain has surpassed a hundred podiums in Formula 1 . Now, the score rises to 112 after Carlos Sainz’s first victory at Silverstone in 2022, but… which was the first? It dates back to 1956, 66 years earlier.
It was on July 14, at the British Grand Prix , which was the sixth round of that season and was held at Silverstone.
Ferrari competed with five cars and Juan Manuel Fangio, who was already three-time world champion, gave the Cavallino the victory and the eight points that were awarded for victory at the time. Through the finish line, in second position, Peter Collins would pass, but with a Ferrari that was not his.
It was owned by Alfonso Cabeza de Vaca y Leighton , Marquis of Portago. The Spaniard had become third when he had to leave his car to his teammate, who had had to withdraw his car on lap 64 due to an oil pressure problem.
Collins, with that Ferrari D50 number 4, managed to reach second place. In addition to second, Alfonso de Portago also appeared tenth in the standings, having also shared the #3 Ferrari with Eugenio Castellotti .
Thus, without seeing the checkered flag but with as much merit as that of Collins (in fact ‘Fon’ gave 70 laps to Collins’ 30 with the #4 Ferrari), de Portago achieved the first and only podium of his life, and the first of a Spaniard in the first fifty years of the Formula 1 World Championship.
Much later would come the glorious era of Fernando Alonso, two world championships, 98 podiums and 32 victories through, but this July 14 it is time to remember Alfonso de Portago, the first Spanish podium in the premier class. And neither can Pedro de la Rosa be forgotten, who achieved another in Hungary 2006.
Just a couple of seasons ago, Carlos Sainz made his debut with McLaren at the 2019 Brazilian GP, and seems to be the best placed to continue adding, at the wheel of the Ferrari F1-75, but Fernando Alonso is also on the lookout.
Do you want to read our news before anyone else and for free? Follow us here on our Telegram channel and you won’t miss a thing. All the information, at your fingertips!
