Dr. Giuseppe ‘Nino’ Farina Signed 1951 Goodwood Programme – First F1 World Champion

An important piece of early Formula One history, this 1951 Goodwood Whit-Monday Official Programme bears the scarce and coveted autograph of Dr Giuseppe “Nino” Farina, a driver whose name is permanently etched into motorsport history.

Held on 14 May 1951 at the legendary Goodwood Motor Circuit in West Sussex, this meeting formed part of Britain’s vibrant post-war racing revival. Goodwood itself had only opened in 1948, quickly becoming one of the UK’s premier venues, hosting a mix of Formula Libre, sports car, and junior races that attracted leading European talent. The Whit-Monday meetings were particularly popular, drawing large crowds during the public holiday and showcasing international competition at a time when Grand Prix racing was regaining momentum after World War II.

Giuseppe Farina’s presence at Goodwood in 1951 is especially significant. Just months earlier, he had secured his place in history by winning the inaugural Formula One World Championship in 1950, driving for Alfa Romeo. That championship, officially sanctioned by the FIA, marked the beginning of the modern F1 era. Farina triumphed in a fierce intra-team battle against his Alfa Romeo teammates Juan Manuel Fangio and Luigi Fagioli, winning three of the seven championship races, including the decisive Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Known for his precise yet aggressive driving style, Farina was already a seasoned competitor by the time Formula One began. Born in Turin in 1906, he earned a doctorate in political science—hence the title “Dr”—and was mentored early in his career by Tazio Nuvolari, one of the greatest pre-war drivers. Farina competed extensively in Grand Prix racing throughout the 1930s and resumed his career after the war, becoming a central figure in Alfa Romeo’s dominant early F1 campaigns.

Autographs of Giuseppe Farina are exceptionally rare and highly prized among collectors. Unlike later champions, Farina’s era predated the commercial expansion of Formula One, meaning fewer items were signed or preserved. Additionally, Farina passed away in 1966, further limiting the availability of authentic signatures. For collectors attempting the formidable challenge of assembling a complete set of Formula One World Champions’ autographs, Farina’s signature is widely regarded as one of the most difficult to obtain—often a key stumbling block.

Farina has signed to an inside page on a lap count grid, this makes it perfect for framing.

This signed 1951 Goodwood programme therefore represents not only an artifact to one of Britain’s most historic circuits but also to the very origins of the Formula One World Championship. Combining an iconic venue, a landmark period in racing history, and the autograph of the sport’s very first World Champion, it stands as a rare and compelling piece of memorabilia from the dawn of modern motorsport.