Sure enough, the more liberal formula of the 1949 Mille Miglia attracted a record number of 375 entries for the 1950 event. Many of the drivers simply regarded the race in their tiny, uncompetitive cars as a fun day out. But the seriously talented racers, like pre-and post-war Grand Prix star Luigi Fagioli – now a driver on the 1950 Alfa Romeo F1 squad with Juan Manuel Fangio and Giuseppe Farina – and key Ferrari pioneer Franco Cortese, all did their best to wade through the 164 Fiat 500 Topolinos and get on with some serious racing.
Alfa Romeo made their official Mille Miglia comeback in 1950, the year the Gioacchino Colombo-designed Alfa 158 won every single race in the Formula 1 World Championship and, of course, the world title itself. But not even Fangio was able to hoist the Alfa Romeo flag of victory over the Mille Miglia, which was becoming a home away from home for Ferrari.
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