1951 Swiss Grand Prix

In contrast Ferraris had only one car out, a 4 1/2-litre unsupereharged, driven, in what appeared to be a very nonchalant manner, by Villoresi. There were only two mechanics in attendance and the car was merely driven round and round with little apparent interest being taken. There was a second 4 1/2-litre behind the pits but it was not used, and towards the end of the afternoon Taruffi did a few laps In Villoresi's car, he having been nominated as an additional Ferrari entry. The outcome of this apparent nonchalance was that Villoresi recorded fastest practice time!

Three Lago-Talbots were circulating steadily while the H.W.M. team of Moss and Abecassis were quietly getting on with the job of training for the race.  After the withdrawal of the B.R.M. entries it was good to site the H.W.M.s representing this country. The most pro-B.R.M. Englishman present could not help agreeing that "at least H.W.M.s were at Berne, even if they had no hope of winning." If only the B.R.M.s had gone to Berne and practised it would have done a lot of good. The continental motor-racing enthusiast goes on sight and sound, not figures and talk, and if the B.R.M.s had gone past the pits a, few times on full song and then toured round the difficult parts, as the drivers wouldn't have been au fait with the handling, they would have caused it stir. Then, had they been packed up and taken home with the excuse that they were not quite ready for the race, everyone wonld have beon most impressed and not a little worried for the time when they have a real go. As it is no one is worried about "when they come," it is a question of a shrug and "if they come."

Meanwhile, hats are raised all round to the H.W.M.s especially when they are in front of Ferraris, as at the Formula II race at Genoa.  Maybe it was for a few laps only, but they were in front and that is what people believe.