#Giuseppe Farina

[leilakaede]

Champions Stare

[frenchcurious]

Grand Prix d’Italie, Monza, 1953. Juan Manuel Fangio, Maserati A6GCM (n. 50) devant Ascari (n. 4) et Farina (n. 6), tous deux sur Ferrari 500 F2. - source Moto Vitelloni - Wheels n' wings.

[lesharl-eclair]

F1: a colorised history 1/10 - text and graphics mine with thanks to Wikipedia and Reddit

text in photo below the cut :) if you spot any mistakes please let me know!

The first-ever World Championship for Drivers was concluded in just seven Grand Prix races in 1950, one of the shortest official calendars to date. Points were awarded to the top five finishers in each race on an 8–6–4–3–2 basis, and 1 point was awarded for the fastest lap of each race.  The 1950-1957 era was marked by the dominance of factory Italian and German cars, seeing the rise and fall of Alfa Romeo, the invincibility of Ferrari, and the technical genius of Mercedes, then known as Daimler-Benz. Giuseppe Farina would claim his first and only victory in a blood-red Alfa Romeo 158 in 1950, but the Alfettas struggled and eventually withdrew, making Ferrari practically invincible from 1952. The FIA (being the FIA) could not do anything about this and was in an embarrassing position as it had already announced that current regulations would last until 1954. Major manufacturers were already working to develop cars for the future regulation so there was a lack of serious competition. FIA eventually adopted Formula Two regulations for the 1952-53 seasons in an attempt to curb Ferrari dominance but this did not work very well, as Alberto Ascari won 11 of 16 races and thus the championships over these two years, remaining the last Italian driver to do so.  Daimler-Benz came to the formula in 1954, bringing with it the first desmodromic valves and direct fuel injection - their technological superiority was proven as they swept the next two seasons. This was sadly marred by a catastrophic crash at Le Mans in June, which killed driver Pierre Levegh and 82 other spectators, and prompted the constructor's exit from motorsport until 1994. The 1955 season was curtailed by tragedy, seeing the deaths of four drivers including Ascari, who crashed at Monaco before crashing again, this time fatally, during testing at Monza four days later. Following Daimler-Benz’s departure, Juan-Manuel Fangio, affectionately known as El Maestro, won two more titles with Ferrari and Maserati in 1956 and 1957, totalling five titles in this period with four different teams, and holding the highest winning percentage in F1 at 47.06% to this day.

[elnanof1]

Inicis de la Fòrmula 1

La Fórmula 1 és la categoria d'automobilisme més prestigiosa del món, organitzada per la Federació Internacional de l'Automòbil (FIA). La Fórmula 1 va començar el 1950 amb el primer Campionat Mundial de Pilots, guanyat per Giuseppe Farina.

[klemcoll]

The Racer and the Photographer

Sitting in the grass next to the Bremgarten park circuit in Bern Switzerland is driver Giuseppe “Nino” Farina on the left. Farina was the Champion of the initial year of the modern Formula 1 in 1950. On the right is the famous automotive photographer Corrado Millanta with his ever-present Lieca camera swinging on its strap from around his neck. The occasion is watching the Coupe du Bremgarten…

[officialpenisenvy]

amo parlare con i siciliani fuorisede mi fa sentire come un esiliato del quarantotto che organizza il risorgimento

[cantiereperipli]

366 // Presentazione dei libri "Lacerti di coro", "Aidos-Passaggi" e "Porto Franco" il 29/04/23 a Bologna

. Con immensa gioia, condividiamo l’evento di sabato prossimo 29 aprile 2023 organizzato da Versante Ripido a Bologna. . Esprimo la mia più sincera gratitudine. Potere ascoltare le voci poetiche e viaggianti di Virginia Farina e Giuseppe Martella, intrecciando anche le mie poesie con le loro liriche in un corale canto di sponde, con gli interventi di Giorgia Monti e le meravigliose musiche di…

[romanaisalive]

F1 WDCs historical blanket - crochet project

I finished with the 1950s so figured I would start posting the updates on this project. :)

Format

Granny square blanket, 7x10 + 5 squares (last row filled out with extra background color)

Concept

Each square is corresponding to a F1 world champion, 1950-2024. Yarn color depends on what team they won with, pattern depends on the person. Yarn colors are based on either the car color or the logo / general association, whichever works best. Pattern assignment has a mix of High Concept, helmet design, Vibes and "this is a nice pattern and I'm running out of ideas".

Yarn used

Scheepjes Softfun, I mark the color used in parentheses with every square.

First update under the cut :)

1950s

Decade concept: first decade = foundations of the sport, so to speak, so I used combinations of the basic granny square.

Giuseppe Farina - 1950

Team: Alfa Romeo (Jade)

First winner ever so I used the basic granny square.

Juan Manuel Fangio - 1951, 1954-57

Teams: Alfa Romeo (Jade), Mercedes 2x (Cool Blue), Ferrari (Candy Apple), Maserati (Mahogany)

A defining figure of the 50s and F1 in general, I chose the most imposing basic square that came to mind - super solid.

Alberto Ascari, 1952-53

Team: Ferrari (Candy Apple)

C2C is a basic square I enjoy, and it looks nice with the Ferrari red. No deeper thoughts in this.

Mike Hawthorn, 1958

Team: Ferrari (Candy Apple)

Circle is one more variation on the basic square, no further thought process behind this one.

Jack Brabham, 1959

Team: Cooper (Sky)

The pattern for Brabham was an interesting question because he won both in the 50s and the 60s, so needed a pattern that worked for basic concept of the 50s and the more varied ones of the 60s as well. I decided on the Fancy Basic square by Cherished Memories Crochet on youtube, still a variation on the basic square but with a bit more interest. It makes for a nice transitional pattern between the decades.

[klemcoll]

Fangio and the Alfa 159

This lovely color photo shows Juan Fangio with his Alfa Romeo 159 during the Spanish Grand Prix  on Barcelona’s fast Pedralbes city circuit on October 28, 1951. This was the last race of the Formula 1 regulations allowing either 1.5 liter supercharged engines or 4.5 liter normally aspirated ones. For 1952 the World Chamionship would be run for F2 cars of 2 liters unsupercharged. Interestingly, in…

[ecimiioo]

The Birth Of Formula 1

The Birth of Formula 1: The Origins of the Pinnacle of Motorsport

Formula 1, often regarded as the pinnacle of motorsport, has a rich history dating back to the mid-20th century. The sport was officially established in 1950, but its roots go much deeper, tracing back to the early days of Grand Prix racing in the early 1900s.

The Early Days of Grand Prix Racing

Before Formula 1 was formally created, motor racing was already a popular sport across Europe. The first recorded Grand Prix took place in 1906 in France, organized by the Automobile Club de France (ACF). Over the following decades, various national and international races were held, but there was little standardization in terms of regulations and competition structure.

The Formation of Formula 1

The idea of a unified racing series began to take shape in the late 1940s. The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body of motorsport, sought to create a single championship that would bring together the best drivers and teams from around the world. In 1946, the term "Formula 1" was officially adopted, referring to the set of rules and technical regulations that would govern the competition.

The first official Formula 1 World Championship season took place in 1950, with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone serving as the inaugural race. The championship featured seven races across Europe, with Giuseppe Farina becoming the first-ever World Champion driving for Alfa Romeo. His teammate, the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio, would go on to dominate the decade, winning five world titles.

The Evolution of Formula 1

Throughout the 1950s and beyond, Formula 1 continued to evolve, introducing new regulations, technologies, and safety measures. The sport expanded beyond Europe, adding races in North America, South America, and Asia, eventually becoming the global phenomenon it is today.

From its humble beginnings to its current status as the most prestigious motorsport championship, Formula 1 has remained at the forefront of innovation, speed, and competition. The legacy of its foundation in 1950 continues to shape the sport, ensuring its place as the ultimate test of driver skill and engineering excellence.

[dozyisdead]

the people must know about St. Farina!!!

(i just realized i’ve never sent you an ask???)

comets comets comets my love love love!!! (also no you have not!)

St.Farina High School, basically a high school-college AU involving drivers from F1, F2, F3, and F4, as well as Indycar! It’s a collaboration between the lovely @23fallencomets and myself for any of those wondering!

The international school was founded in 1950 with its first principal and lead contributor Dr. Emilio Giuseppe Farina. Its legacy is long standing, and it has ruled at the top of international schools around the world since its formation! It boasts a wide variety of courses and programs, as well as supplying students to some of the top colleges and universities in the world. A wide variety of students call the school home, with board and room available for them to choose if they so wish. The staff is some of the top in their field (with some exceptions) and often are as chaotic as the students.

This school is also a breeding ground for romance and the chaos that comes with new teen relationships.

[giovannicioni]

Il podcast integrale in cinque puntate su Rai Play Sound : https://www.raiplaysound.it/programmi/9999unagrandevitalunga

“Mi auguravano una grande vita lunga”,dice Giovanni Farina. Fino al 31 dicembre 9999. Giovanni Farina è stato ergastolano. Fine Pena Mai. Giovanni Farina è sopravvissuto all’ergastolo al quale era stato condannato. Giovanni Farina è sopravvissuto alla sua leggenda, quella dell’imprendibile bandito Farina, indicato come la mente del sequestro di Giuseppe Soffiantini, uno degli ultimi e più clamorosi sequestri di persona, nel 1998. Gli avevano detto che non avrebbe più rivisto i suoi monti, i Monti della Calvana, gli chiedevano se non aveva capito che doveva morire in carcere. 

Questi Monti della Calvana dove Giovanni Farina è cresciuto, sono i monti dove il cineasta Giovanni Cioni è tornato a vivere, proprio negli anni del sequestro Soffiantini, che è stato nascosto qui.  È su questi monti, in una casa non lontana dalla sua casa abbandonata, che Giovanni Farina e Giovanni Cioni si ritrovano per questa conversazione –e si ritrovano proprio il giorno in cui Farina finisce di scontare la sua pena. Il giorno in cui sarebbe libero. Sarebbe, dice.

Un viaggio sonoro e cinematografico –di immagini sonore come delle reminiscenze. Le parole ripercorrono una vita, la rivivono. Ci portano lontano nel tempo –la sua infanzia di pastore sardo in Toscana, il clima di sospetto e di criminalizzazione con il quale si scontra, i primi arresti e le fughe, la famiglia dispersa. Le parole ci portano lontano nello spazio -nella giungla del Venezuela, in Australia, nella caverna dei lunghi anni di isolamento. Le parole –negli anni di carcere per sopravvivere Giovanni ha iniziato a usare le parole, a scrivere testi, racconti, poesie, di uno splendore struggente per lottare contro l’oscurità. Nelle parole di Giovanni c’è l’ostinazione alla vita, una vita dispersa da ritrovare.

9999 UNA GRANDE VITA LUNGA

un podcast di Giovanni Cioni, 

prodotto da RUMORE

registrazione e sound design Saverio Damiani

produzione artistica Pinangelo Marino

vincitore del Premio Lucia 2024:opere

[anitalianfrie]

tagged by @yeastinfectionvale why did you do this to me my room is BORING

tagging @formulapookie @kevyeen @giuventus @verdemint @piastrossi @ellearts if you want to do this :)

[phantomdoofer]

Tower Town, Chapter 30 - New Year

Giuseppe stared out the window of his dressing room, watching the snow gently drift down. Anita had decided on having their ceremony on New Year's Eve.

“We'll start a new life along with a new year,” she'd said.

He'd tweaked her chin. “You think things will really be all that different?”

She'd gently tugged on his beard. “Let me have a little romanticism in my life, Sepp. I know I'm normally a no-nonsense sort of woman… but this is different.” She'd turned and given him the warmest look she'd ever given him. “On that day, we'll be joined together. Personally, I intend for it to be permanent. I want to make it special.”

Peppino walked up behind him, already fully dressed in the suit he would be wearing. In keeping with the theme, Peppino was wearing a version of the Army formal suit. While he'd never been an officer, the government had given him and Gustavo permission to wear a replica.

The official who Giuseppe had spoken to had been almost ecstatic. “Mr. Spaghetti deserves that much, as does Mr. Farina!” He'd leaned over conspiratorially. “I heard they're thinking of making a medal for you guys.”

Something that had turned out to be true… but Gustavo and Peppino didn't know it yet. He smirked as he thought of their surprise.

Giuseppe had returned to the tailor who'd done Peppino's chef's outfit before…. and had promptly had to get Peppino to return for remeasurement. With all the exercise Peppino had being doing alongside him, plus all the weight he'd lost carrying Tony around, he'd changed pretty dramatically.

Peppino ran his hands down the front of his suit. “I haven't-a been this trim since-a the War.” He put a hand on Giuseppe's shoulder. “You OK, fratello?”

Giuseppe laughed uneasily and turned. “I have a whole flock of butterflies in my stomach, but I guess I'm fine otherwise.” He gripped his stomach - he wasn't afraid. He knew Anita was a few rooms over.

But the anxiety was getting to him.

Peppino held up the formal military coat Giuseppe would be wearing, jingling with decorations. “Come on, Major, let’s-a get you in your own outfit.”

Giuseppe dutifully held up an arm, and Peppino slipped it over, weaving around to assist him with the other sleeve. “You know, fratello, sometimes I'm-a jealous of you.”

“What for?” Giuseppe said.

Peppino bounced the coat, and it jangled like a tambourine. “You-a did so much, in your time. So much decoration. I never-a got more than-a my basic bars. Never, ah, never distinguished myself.”

Giuseppe turned to his brother, who began the process of closing the coat. “Don't think too highly of all this brass, Pino. There's a lot of pain in each of these. A lot of… lost friends.”

Peppino nodded. “Ovviamente. But…” he sighed. “Some-a-times I just wish I had-a done something more-a… noble.”

Giuseppe reached out, grasping his brother's shoulders with both hands. “Fratellino, saving the entire world isn't noble?”

“But I-a had you guys with me,” Peppino said.

“And you think I was alone, all these times?” Giuseppe said. He pointed at the various badges and medals. “Each one of these was a group effort, fratellino.”

Peppino dutifully pointed at the lurid orange medal that indicated the Battle of Inferno. “And this one? Only-a you succeeded.”

Giuseppe thought of all the other runners who'd died to destroy the superweapon. “Dozens died for that one, Peppino. And that's not even counting the ground battle that happened outside.” He thumped Peppino in the chest. “And besides, who was the one who damn near broke reality to destroy the Pizzamancer? You.” Giuseppe bent over, picking up the sash that was the last part of his outfit. “You're just as deserving of praise as me, Pino. More, in some ways. To the world, you're a hero.”

“It doesn't-a feel like it,” Peppino muttered.

“It never does,” Giuseppe said, smiling as he clipped the sash. “Until somebody in the street stops to thank you, or someone hands you a coffee on the house.” He chuckled. “Or the government gives the bank a little poke when they're not sure about giving you a loan.”

Peppino did a double-take. “How-a did you-?”

He shrugged. “I didn't know, I guessed.” Giuseppe laughed. “Fame does have its privileges, fratellino. Says a lot about someone, how they use it… or don't.”

Peppino muttered something about him being a “intelligentone,” and Giuseppe laughed. “Takes one to know one, fratellino.”

As he finished the last bits, there was a knock at the door.

Giuseppe knew who it was. “Get that, please, would you, Pino?”

As Peppino walked to the door, muttering “I said I'd be your best-a man, not-a your manservant,” Giuseppe walked over and grabbed two small boxes from a drawer.

Peppino opened the door… to find Gustavo standing, dressed exactly like him. “Amico? Aren't you supposed to-a stay with the bride?”

Gustavo shrugged. “Seppe said he wanted to see me before the ceremony.”

“Close the door, please, Gus,” Giuseppe said. He was almost bursting with excitement. As Gus did so, Giuseppe turned, one of the boxes in hand. “I needed to see both of you. I have something for you.” He held up the box.

“That-a looks… very official,” Peppino said cautiously.

“That's because it is,” Giuseppe said with a smile. “I won't stand on too much ceremony, but… atten-tion!"

The tone of his voice clicked an old reflex, and both men stood up straight.

Giuseppe walked over to his brother. “When I spoke to the military office, they had something else for me. They wanted to make it some grand ceremony, but… I thought this would be better.”

Peppino and Gustavo both looked puzzled.

Giuseppe opened the box… and pulled out a medallion. “Peppino Spaghetti, Gustavo Farina, I, Giuseppe Spaghetti, have been authorized to give you this - the only medal ever given and recognized by all major governments. The International Medal of Valor.”

Peppino's bottom lip began to wobble as Giuseppe pinned the medal to his chest. “I… I-a don't…” he looked Giuseppe in the eyes. “How did-a you know?”

Giuseppe laughed. “When you started in about medals, I almost broke. This is as big an honor as you can get, you two. Bigger than anything I ever got before.” He patted Peppino on the shoulder, smiling. “Congratulations, Sergeant Major Spaghetti.”

Peppino's eyes grew wide. “S-Sergeant M-M-”

���Oh, I forgot to mention. They gave you both an honorary promotion. I have the insignia for you, too.” He clipped it on Peppino's shoulders, and the man looked ready to cry.

Giuseppe bent over, doing the same for Gustavo, who looked ready to bawl himself. Then he glanced at Giuseppe's shoulder. “Wait. Your own bars are different.”

Giuseppe laughed. “Yeah. Apparently they were feeling generous. My official rank is now apparently Brigadier General. I'm still retired, but…” he beamed. “Anita's a Colonel, now, herself. Gave her her medal and insignias yesterday.”

Gustavo's voice wobbled a little as he spoke. “I thought she seemed more excited than usual. I thought it was just wedding jitters.”

Peppino examined the medal. “So, does-a the design have any meaning?”

Giuseppe pointed. “The gold ring, inlaid with blue and green, represents the world, since this is an international honor. The five stars around the edge of the gold ring indicate it's the highest possible honor.” He pointed at the lurid purple bar, above the circular medal. “The purple bar indicates the Tower, of course. That part's unique to this version.” He shrugged. “Of course, who knows when this might get used again?”

Peppino looked over at Gustavo's, noticing a difference. “Why does-a mine have a ruby in-a the center of-a the bar, and not Gustavo's?”

Giuseppe smirked, pointing at his own. “That's a special bonus. For those of us that died there and got brought back. You, me, and Anita have the ruby. Noise and Noisette will get one, too.”

“Oh, great,” Peppino muttered. “Just-a what we need, something else to inflate-a the gremlin's ego.”

Giuseppe finished pinning the medal on Gustavo's chest, and he stood and saluted the two. Peppino and Gustavo returned it, tears in both their eyes.

“Thank you, fratello,” Peppino choked out.

Gustavo nodded. “My parents would've been so proud…"

Giuseppe smiled and put his hand down. “Hopefully Mama doesn't have a coronary from happiness.”

“You haven't-a told her yet?” Peppino said, incredulous.

“Well, I did just get these a few days ago,” he said.

Gustavo looked down. “So it's okay for me to go back to Anita's room with all this? She knows, right?”

“Yep! She should have her own stuff on by now.” He glanced at the clock. “Affrettarsi, though, we're getting close to time!”

As the gnome exited, Peppino was fingering the rank insignia. His chin wobbled as he did. “You bastardo sporco, there I was, talking all that-a nonsense about recognition and rank, and you had-a this just sitting in the drawer…”

Giuseppe laughed and gave Peppino a hug. “Took everything I had not to tell you, fratellino.” He held him at arm's length. “Looking good, Peppino. Now you have some decorations, too. The biggest decoration in the world.”

Peppino smiled, trying to maintain his composure. “Sì,” he whispered. “I never thought I would have something like this. A life… a life like this. A son. Honors. A successful ristorante. A brother.” He clasped Giuseppe's shoulder, and Giuseppe returned the favor.

Giuseppe smirked. “We're brothers-in-arms, too, fratellino. It doesn't get much closer than that.”

Peppino wiped away tear. “Sì.” He dropped his arms. “I'm-a not taking orders from you, though, General,” he said with a grin.

Giuseppe put on a mock scowl. “So, it's mutiny, then.”

They stared at each other… then burst out laughing at the absurdity. “Come on, Sergeant-Major. We have a wedding to attend.”

~~~~

Giuseppe stood at the altar, at ease, smiling and trying not to fidget. Peppino flanked him, beaming. They'd spoken to their mother before the ceremony. If she smiled any bigger, we wouldn't need candles, Giuseppe thought wryly.

They hadn't gone very flowery, like most weddings; a wedding between two professional soldiers called for something a bit different. Plus, Anita doesn't care much for flowers. Or frills, for that matter. There was ivy everywhere, though. Though the snow was piling up outside, a warm breeze flowed through the room, and birds sang. They'd hired an environmental illusionist to decorate the room. They'd spoken to Margherita at length, and now it was as close as they could get to her old home, back in Italy, on a nice spring day. We should visit there, sometime.

The overhead lights were dimmed; instead, candles of various sizes, from small tea lights up to monolithic towers, illuminated the room. A few of them were floating; most were illusory.

All their friends were in attendance. They'd even talked Fake into coming out. They sat beside Brando. Brando was almost shaking with pride at the medal on his chest, and Fake… well, Fake's expression could be hard to read at the best of times, but they almost radiated pride - both theirs, and for their son.

Pepperman sat at the front. He and Anita had become close, and she'd insisted he be front and center. He'd sworn to paint a portrait of them as soon as the ceremony was complete. “I'll burn it into my mind’s eye,” he'd said airily. They'd fashioned a long collar for him to wear his medal. He's probably burning an entire country’s supply of smugness right now, Giuseppe thought.

Behind him were the Noises. Noisette had worn an amazingly flashy dress, and the medal clashed magnificently. She was bouncing up and down, and as his gaze swept over them, she waved energetically, which he returned, much more subtly. In her arms, Tony babbled happily; the little Mingle had taken a liking to her, and she had almost fainted when Peppino had entrusted her with him. She'd elected not to stand with them as a result, but she was still beaming with delight. Meanwhile, the little bean was reaching for a tea light, fascinated by the floating objects. He kept staring around, almost as interested in all the new faces as he was the lights. He seemed to be enjoying himself immensely.

Beside her, Noise held his head high. Giuseppe had expected him to crow and yell and proclaim his greatness, when he'd received the medal; instead, the little man had been quiet, unnaturally so. It had thrown everyone off completely. Even Noisette had seemed surprised. Then Noise had pulled Giuseppe aside. “Wanna say, I don't deserve this, big guy.”

“Noise, you saved the world, just like the rest of us,” Giuseppe had said. “You destroyed the Pizzamancer's monster army. You fought him. I can still hear that big damned bomb going off,” he said with a grin.

Noise chuckled, still unusually subdued. “Yeah, that was a good one. As for the monsters, Noisette and the others did most of it. All I did was press a button.”

Giuseppe had rolled his eyes, amused but now slightly exasperated. “Listen, folletto, when a General says “take your laurels,” take your damn laurels. You deserve it, just as much as the rest of us.”

Noise had looked a little surprised at the big Italian's vehemence. “Well, uh… I guess. If ya say so.” He flipped the medal on his chest, and gave the most genuine smile Giuseppe had ever seen on his face. “I never got any honors like this before. I mean, I got awards for shows an’ such, but… this is different. I'm gonna wear it proud-like. Gonna get it framed, put it in my office. Thank ya, big guy.” Then he'd grabbed Giuseppe's sash, looking oddly desperate. “Don't tell Peppino, OK?”

Giuseppe had smiled and simply made a zipped-lip motion.

Even General Burne had shown up. Giuseppe and Anita had both been shocked to see the old man, and they had had to explain to most of the others just who he was… and why they were so stirred up.

Anita, in particular, had been nervous. “I, uh… I'm sorry I ran off on you, all those years ago, Maj- er, General.”

Burne had waved a hand and smiled, his mustache, now white as snow, bristling. “Personally, I understood, Anita. I'm the one who signed the order dismissing the charges, after all.” Then he'd winked, which had thrown both of them off. “Besides, I think saving the world qualifies you for a bit of forgiveness.”

He was sitting near the back, taking up a huge amount of space. An active general came with quite the retinue, after all.

Anita had invited a few of her family, but none had shown up. “I'm not surprised,” she said, disgusted. “Most of ‘em I didn't really want here, anyway. They're lowlifes.” She'd looked around. “My family's already here.”

A whole cloud of Spec Ops agents had shown up, headed up by Captain Lambert, the Frenchman who'd liaised with them. “A Brigadier General requires at least some presence, monsieur, to say nothing of a Colonel,” he'd said with a wide grin. “Plus… a lot of the youngsters miss you, General Spaghetti.”

Giuseppe had laughed. “Being too hard of a taskmaster on them, eh, Louis?”

The Frenchman had shrugged. “Someone has to keep them in line.”

Anita had chuckled. “Tell them if they don't straighten up, I'll come out of retirement to whip them into shape.”

Louis had grinned… if a little painfully. In her short return, Anita had terrorized the whole organization, running them through their paces like the toughest of drill sergeants. “I'll tell them. No offense, Madame, but even I would be terrified of such a prospect.”

Finally, the doors opened at the end of the hall, and everyone stood. Gustavo escorted Anita down the aisle, acting as both Father of the Bride and bridesmaid/groomsman. He smiled impishly - Anita was short enough he didn't have to unduly stretch to hold her hand, and he was enjoying the experience.

Anita wore an outfit identical to Giuseppe's, though somewhat less festooned with insignia; she'd immediately rejected the idea of a dress. “I'm not a dress woman,” she'd said. “I'm a former soldier, a professional.”

Giuseppe had just smiled. “Wouldn't have it any other way, ‘Nita.”

Of course, she had her own chest full of metal; she'd been quite active before she'd left. The Colonel insignia, as well as the new medal, gleamed in the soft light.

Her face was the most serene he'd ever seen her wear.

They had eschewed music, too. “Ugh, too fru-fru for my taste,” she'd said. The birdsong had been her idea, though. She loves nature.

Vigi stood beside Giuseppe, the officiant - as Sheriff, one of his duties was the ability to officiate weddings. He'd almost burst with pride when he'd found out that was his role, and he was taking it seriously. “Been practicin’ fer weeks,” he’d said that morning.

“But… it's only a few words,” Giuseppe had said, laughing.

“Maybe,” Vigi had replied. “But they're important words.”

Anita stopped beside Giuseppe, and Gustavo took up his position, mirroring Peppino. She grinned at him. “Looking sharp, General,” she whispered.

“Don't rub it in,” Giuseppe replied.

Together, they turned to the Sheriff.

Vigi gestured for everyone to sit - the medal glittered as he moved. Lacking anywhere else to put it, he'd pinned it to his hat.

“We're gathered here t'day t’ witness the joinin’ of Giuseppe Spaghetti and Anita Morelli in matrimony. Both bride an’ groom have elected to forego any long, flowery speeches.” The crowd laughed quietly. “They have, however, elected t’ say few words.” He gestured. “Go ahead.”

Giuseppe looked into Anita's eyes. “For twenty years, part of me was lost,” he said. “A part I wept for, mourned for. A few months ago, it returned, quietly, subtly, but as bright as the sun. For the first time in ages, I felt whole.” He smiled. “I never want to lose that again.”

Anita nodded. “For twenty years, I searched the world for something I'd lost,” she said. “It took me all that time to realize - I had left it behind. It was waiting for me. I just had to have the courage to return. And, even though it ended up getting dropped in my lap unexpectedly… it really was what I'd been missing, the whole time.” She smiled. “I’ll never let it go again.”

They turned back to Vigi, who cleared his throat. “And as such, today we bind the two of you together, never t’ be parted again.” He turned towards Peppino. “The ring, sir?”

Peppino pulled the ring box out of his coat pocket, grinning like a cat, handing it to his brother. Giuseppe opened it, revealing a shining titanium band.

Giuseppe took Anita's hand, slipping the ring over her finger. “Had to pull some strings for this one. It's a piece of the shell of Inferno.”

She grinned. “Well. Great minds think alike, then.” Gustavo, on cue, proffered his own ring box, and she opened it to reveal another titanium ring. As she slipped it over his finger, she smirked. “Another piece of Inferno. Had to pull some strings of my own to get it.” She snickered. “Probably best you don't ask how, though.”

Giuseppe laughed. “God, we're too much alike, sometimes.”

Anita grinned. “More like two parts of a bigger piece.”

Giuseppe nodded, and they turned back to Vigi.

The sheriff cleared his throat again. “By my authority as Sheriff of Tower Town, I declare ya husband an’ wife.” He grinned. “I'd say ‘you may kiss the bride,’ but… I think that goes without sayin’.”

They both laughed, turned, and Giuseppe grabbed Anita, doing a full dip while kissing her.

Everyone cracked up, then applauded.

As he stood her back on her feet, she glared at him… but she was smiling. “A little over the top, don't you think?”

He smiled his most roguish smile. “Glad I can still surprise you.”

~~~~

The reception was winding down; almost all the attendees had left already, hoping to at least reach La Crosta before the snow became impassable. Gustavo had volunteered to take Margherita home. “It's on my way, anyway,” he'd said.

Before she had left, she had insisted on giving the couple, as well as Peppino and Gustavo, a hug. “I'm so proud of you all. You all survived so much. Now look at you. Honored as you should be…” she gestured to them all, “you two, married…” she gave both Giuseppe and Anita a kiss on the cheek, “you two, having given me my first grandchild,” she did the same for Peppino and Gustavo, “to say nothing of giving me a nuora e genero.” She beamed at them all. “I've never been more proud of you all.” She patted Gustavo on the shoulder. “And I know your genitori are beside themselves with joy, genero. Stand proud.”

Gustavo blushed, then cleared this throat. “We should get going, Mrs. Spaghetti. The roads could be treacherous soon.” He waggled his finger at Tony, in Peppino's arms, and the boy giggled. “Be careful going home, you two.”

“Fai lo stesso, amico Mio,” Peppino said. “Take care, Mama.”

As they left, Peppino, Giuseppe, and Anita looked around. The room was being cleared away - they hadn't opted for a big reception, either.

That hadn't stopped everyone from providing housewarming gifts, though.

Peppino walked to the pile, which was impressive. “Do-a you need me to help you get this-a home? I can load some of it in-a my car…”

Giuseppe waved a hand. “Nah. We've got room. You should get home. No need to keep the bambino out in this mess.” He bent over and tweaked the boy's nose, who giggled. “Do you need me to come by tomorrow and watch him?”

Peppino shook his head. “Fake is-a going to open the pizzeria tomorrow - but I don't-a expect much business, between the snow and it-a being New Year's. Too-a many people will be sleeping off the night before.” He smirked. “And besides, I doubt you will-a be up to much tomorrow, eh?”

Even Anita blushed. “Just announce it to the world, why don't you…”

Peppino laughed. “It's-a what newlyweds do, eh? No one would be surprised.” He waggled his eyebrows. “And I can't-a wait to have a nipote o pronipote to spoil.” He went quiet, reaching up to finger the medal and the rank bars. “I still-a can't believe it.”

Giuseppe and Anita held each other. “You deserve it, Pino, you really do,” Giuseppe said.

“Forse,” Peppino said quietly. He picked up Tony's bag, looped it over his shoulder, and shook hands with Anita. “I know, you've-a been doing it already… but take-a good care of mio fratello, OK?”

Anita looked up at her husband. “I will. I mean it when I said… I'll never let it go again.”

Peppino nodded, content. “Va bene. Ciao, you two. See you later.”

~~~~

Giuseppe dropped the last of the gifts on the counter in his kitchen, as Anita closed the door to his apartment. “You know,” she said, flopping down on the couch, “even if we hadn't just got married, I think I'd stay here tonight.”

Giuseppe nodded; the snow had picked up considerably, and they'd had to clear a path to the stairs. “No kidding. Good thing I stocked up. Looks like we're gonna be snowed in a few days.”

He walked over and sat down beside her, undoing the sash and his coat’s bindings. Anita had already shucked hers. “This stuff is pretty comfortable, for a dress uniform, but…”

She reached over and helped him shrug off the heavy broadcloth. “Yeah. At least we didn't need a coat in this cold.”

She stood, draping the coat over a chair. “We'll just put this all away properly… tomorrow,” she said. She flopped back down.

Both of them sat in silence for a bit, just enjoying each other's presence.

Suddenly, outside, distant singing started, and, despite the snow, fireworks started popping.

“Huh…?” Giuseppe said, checking his watch. It read 12:00. “Well, I'll be damned. It's already that late.” He leaned over and kissed her. “Happy New Year.”

She returned the favor. “Happy New Year,” she said, snuggling up under his arm. “What year are we in now?”

“2593,” Giuseppe said quietly. “47 years now, I've been here.”

Anita nuzzled his chest. “48, for me. But thanks to the regeneration, it's like 28 all over again.” She looked up and grinned.

He smiled. “Yeah. A whole new life to live.”

They sat and watched the burst of fireworks through the window, softened by the falling snow.

[thisisyourdriverspeaking]

Summer break and I'm kinda sorta missing F1 so here are the UK number one songs when drivers got their first Grand Prix win. Enjoy 😊

Giuseppe Farina (1950 British GP - 13th May), Juan Manuel Fangio (1950 Monaco GP - 21st May) & Johnnie Parsons (1950 Indy 500 - 30th May) - Billy Eckstine - My Foolish Heart

Lee Wallard (1951 Indy 500 - 30th May) - Les Paul & Mary Ford - Mockin' Bird Hill

Luigi Fagioli (1951 French GP - 1st July) & Jose Froilan Gonzalez (1951 British GP - 14th July) - Nelson Eddy & Jo Stafford - With These Hands

Alberto Ascari (1951 German GP - 29th July) - Hoagy Carmichael - My Resistance Is Low

Piero Taruffi (1952 Swiss GP - 18th May) - Nat 'King' Cole - Unforgettable

Troy Ruttman (1952 Indy 500 - 30th May) - Jo Stafford - Ay-Round The Corner

Bill Vukovich (1953 Indy 500 - 30th May) & Mike Hawthorn (1953 French GP - 5th July) - Frankie Laine - I Believe

Maurice Trintignant (1955 Monaco GP - 22nd May) - Tony Bennett - Stranger In Paradise

Bob Sweikert (1955 Indy 500 - 30th May) - Eddie Calvert - Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White

Stirling Moss (1955 British GP - 16th July) - Alma Cogan - Dreamboat

Luigi Musso (1956 Argentine GP - 22nd January) - Tennessee Ernie Ford - Sixteen Tons

Pat Flaherty (1956 Indy 500 - 30th May) & Peter Collins (1956 Belgian GP - 3rd June) - Ronnie Hilton - No Other Love

Sam Hanks (1957 Indy 500 - 30th May) - Andy Williams - Butterfly

Tony Brooks (1957 British GP - 20th July) - Elvis Presley - All Shook Up

Jimmy Bryan (1958 Indy 500 - 30th May) - Connie Francis - Who's Sorry Now

Jack Brabham (1959 Monaco GP - 10th May) - Buddy Holly - It Doesn't Matter Anymore

Rodger Ward (1959 Indy 500 - 30th May) & Jo Bonnier (1959 Dutch GP - 31st May) - Elvis Presley - A Fool Such As I

Bruce McLaren (1959 US GP - 12th December) - Adam Faith - What Do You Want?

Jim Rathmann (1960 Indy 500 - 30th May) - The Everly Brothers - Cathy's Clown

Phil Hill (1960 Italian GP - 4th September) - The Shadows - Apache

Wolfgang Von Trips (1961 Dutch GP - 22nd May) - Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound

Giancarlo Baghetti (1961 French GP - 2nd July) - Del Shannon - Runaway

Innes Ireland (1961 US GP - 8th October) - The Shadows - Kon-Tiki

Graham Hill (1962 Dutch GP - 20th May) - B Bumble & The Stingers - Nut Rocker

Jim Clark (1962 Belgian GP - 17th June) - Elvis Presley - Good Luck Charm

Dan Gurney (1962 French GP - 8th July) - Mike Sarne & Wendy Richard - Come Outside

John Surtees (1963 German GP - 4th August) - Elvis Presley - Devil In Disguise

Lorenzo Bandini (1964 Austrian GP - 23rd August) - Manfred Man - Do Wah Diddy Diddy

Jackie Stewart (1965 Italian GP - 12th September) - The Rolling Stones - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

Richie Ginther (1965 Mexican GP - 24th October) - Ken Dodd - Tears

Ludovico Scarfiotti (1966 Italian GP - 4th September) - The Beatles - Yellow Submarine

Pedro Rodriguez (1967 South African GP - 2nd January) - Tom Jones - Green Green Grass Of Home

Denny Hulme (1967 Monaco GP - 7th May) - Sandie Shaw - Puppet On A String

Jacky Ickx (1968 French GP - 7th July) & Jo Siffert (1968 British GP - 20th July) - Equals - Baby Come Back

Jochen Rindt (1969 US GP - 5th October) - Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg - Je T'aime... Mon Non Plus

Clay Regazzoni (1970 Italian GP - 6th September) - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Tears Of A Clown

Emerson Fittipaldi (1970 US GP - 4th October) - Freda Payne - Band Of Gold

Mario Andretti (1971 South African GP - 6th March) - Mungo Jerry - Baby Jump

Peter Gethin (1971 Italian GP - 5th September) - Diana Ross - I'm Still Waiting

Francois Cevert (1971 US GP - 3rd October) - Rod Stewart - Maggie May

Jean-Pierre Beltoise (1972 Monaco GP - 14th May) - T-Rex - Metal Guru

Ronnie Peterson (1973 French GP - 1st July) - Donny Osmond - Young Love

Peter Revson (1973 British GP - 14th July) - Slade - Skweeze Me Pleeze Me

Carlos Reutemann (1974 South African GP - 30th March) - Paper Lace - Billy Don't Be A Hero

Niki Lauda (1974 Spanish GP - 28th April) - Abba - Waterloo

Jody Scheckter (1974 Swedish GP - 9th June) - Ray Stevens - The Streak

Jose Carlos Pace (1975 Brazilian GP - 26th January) - Pilot - January

Jochen Mass - (1975 Spanish GP - 27th April) - Mud - Oh Boy

James Hunt (1975 Dutch GP - 22nd June) - 10CC - I'm Not In Love

Vittorio Brambilla (1975 Austrian GP - 17th August) - The Stylistics - I Can't Give You Anything (But My Love)

John Watson (1976 Austrian GP - 15th August) - Elton John & Kiki Dee - Don't Go Breaking My Heart

Gunnar Nilsson (1977 Belgian GP - 5th June) - Rod Stewart - I Don't Want To Talk About It

Jacques Laffite (1977 Swedish GP - 19th June) - The Jacksons - Show You The Way To Go

Alan Jones (1977 Austrian GP - 14th August) - Brotherhood Of Man - Angelo

Patrick Depailler (1978 Monaco GP - 7th May) - Boney M - Rivers Of Babylon

Gilles Villeneuve (1978 Canadian GP - 8th October) - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John - Summer Nights

Jean-Pierre Jabouille (1979 French GP - 1st July) - Tubeway Army - Are 'Friends' Electric?

Rene Arnoux (1980 Brazilian GP - 27th January) - The Specials - Too Much Too Young

Nelson Piquet (1980 US GP - March 30) - The Jam - Going Underground

Didier Pironi (1980 Belgian GP - 4th May) - Dexy's Midnight Runners - Geno

Alain Prost (1981 French GP - 5th July) - The Specials - Ghost Town

Riccardo Patrese (1982 Monaco GP - 23rd May) - Madness - House Of Fun

Patrick Tambay (1982 German GP - 8th August) & Elio De Angelis (1982 Austrian GP) - Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen

Keke Rosberg (1982 Swiss GP - 29th August) & Michele Alboreto (1982 Caesers Palace GP) - Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger

Ayrton Senna (1985 Portuguese GP - 21st April) - USA For Africa - We Are The World

Nigel Mansell (1985 European GP - 6th October) - Jennifer Rush - The Power Of Love

Gerhard Berger (1986 Mexican GP - 12th October) - Nick Berry - Every Loser Wins

Thierry Boutsen (1989 Canadian GP - 18th June) - Soul II Soul - Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)

Alessandro Nannini (1989 Japanese GP - 22nd October) - Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers - That's What I Like

Michael Schumacher (1992 Belgian GP - 30th August) - Snap! - Rhythm Is A Dancer

Damon Hill (1993 Hungarian GP - 15th August) - Freddie Mercury - Living On My Own

Jean Alesi (1995 Canadian GP - 11th June) - Robson & Jerome - Unchained Melody

Johnny Herbert (1995 British GP - 16th July) - Outhere Brothers - Boom Boom Boom

David Coulthard (1995 Portuguese GP - 24th September) - Simply Red - Fairground

Olivier Panis (1996 Monaco GP - 19th May) - Gina G - Ooh Ahh... Just A Little Bit

Jacques Villeneuve (1996 European GP - 28th April) - George Michael - Fastlove

Heinz-Harald Frentzen (1997 San Marino GP) - Michael Jackson - Blood On The Dance Floor

Mika Hakkinen (1997 European GP - 26th October) - Aqua - Barbie Girl

Eddie Irvine (1999 Australian GP - 7th March) - Boyzone - When The Going Gets Tough

Ruben Barrichello (2000 German GP - 30th July) - Craig David - 7 Days

Ralf Schumacher (2001 San Marino GP - 15th April) - Emma Bunton - What Took You So Long?

Juan Pablo Montoya (2001 Italian GP - 16th September) - DJ Otzi - Hey Baby

Kimi Raikkonen (2003 Malaysian GP - 23rd March) - Gareth Gates ft The Kumars - Spirit In The Sky

Giancarlo Fisichella (2003 Brazilian GP - 6th April) - Room 5 ft Oliver Cheatham - Make Luv

Fernando Alonso (2003 Hungarian GP - 24th August) - Blu Cantrell ft Sean Paul - Breathe

Jarno Trulli (2004 Monaco GP - 23rd May) - Frankee - F.U.R.B (F U Right Back

Jenson Button (2006 Hungarian GP - 6th August) - Shakira ft Wyclef Jean - Hips Don't Lie

Felipe Massa (2006 Turkish GP - 27th August) - Beyonce ft Jay-Z - Deja Vu

Lewis Hamilton (2007 Canadian GP - 10th June) - Rihanna ft Jay-Z - Umbrella

Robert Kubica (2008 Canadian GP - 8th June) - Mint Royale - Singin' In The Rain

Heikki Kovalainen (2008 Hungarian GP - 3rd August) - Dizzee Rascal ft Calvin Harris & Chrome - Dance Wiv Me

Sebastian Vettel (2008 Italian GP - 14th September) - Kings Of Leon - Sex On Fire

Mark Webber (2009 German GP - 12th July) - Cascada - Evacuate The Dancefloor

Nico Rosberg (2012 Chinese GP - 15th April) - Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe

Pastor Maldonado (2012 Spanish GP - 13th May) - Rita Ora ft Tinie Tempah - R.I.P.

Daniel Ricciardo (2014 Canadian GP - 8th June) - Ed Sheeran - Sing

Max Verstappen (2016 Spanish GP - 15th May) - Drake ft Wizkid & Kyla - One Dance

Valtteri Bottas (2017 Russian GP - 30th April) - Clean Bandit ft Zara Larsson - Symphony

Charles Leclerc (2019 Belgian GP - 1st September) - Ed Sheeran ft Stormzy - Take Me Back To London

Pierre Gasly (2020 Italian GP - 6th September) - Cardi B ft Megan Thee Stallion - WAP

Sergio Perez (2020 Sakhir GP - 6th December) - Ariana Grande - Positions

Esteban Ocon (2021 Hungarian GP - 1st August) - Ed Sheeran - Bad Habits

Carlos Sainz Jr (2022 British GP - 3rd July) - Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill

George Russell (2022 Brazilian GP - 13th November) - Taylor Swift - Anti-Hero

Lando Norris (2024 Miami GP - 5th May) & Oscar Piastri (2024 Hungarian GP - 21st July) - Sabrina Carpenter - Espresso

And yes, I've created a Spotify playlist for these tunes 😊😊

[klemcoll]

A Victory at Bern

Here we are in the pits at the Swiss Grand Prix on July, 3, 1949. The race will take place on a circuit named for the Bremgarten forest in which it was situated within the city of Bern. The first car, n. 34, is a Scuderia Ferrari 125C which will be driven by Luigi Villoresi. Next to it is a similar 125C, n. 30, which will be driven by Alberto Ascari. A third 125C was entered for the British…