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Why F1's transformation matters on its big birthday

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On Formula 1's 70th birthday, it is a time to reflect on how far it has come in terms of sport, speed and technology while casting an eye on what the future holds

Even if the coronavirus crisis hadn't upended normality and sent much of the world into lockdown, 13 May 2020 would still have been a moment to pause and reflect - between the Spanish and Monaco races Formula 1 was supposed to have been enjoying.

Seventy years ago today, the first world championship F1 race took place at Silverstone, with Alfa Romeo's Giuseppe Farina winning from pole position. It was a famous affair at a packed track, with Farina edging an early battle with soon-to-be F1 legend Juan Manuel Fangio (who later retired with an engine issue) and then leading home an Alfa 1-2-3.

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