Piero Taruffi, a native of Rome, studied industrial engineering and showed potential racing motorcycles, but wouldn't achieve success in competition until after World War II. He drove an Alfa Romeo 158 Alfetta in the inaugural Formula One World Championship and changed teams for 1951. Ultimately he scored more impressive results in sports car racing.
The 1952 Grand Prix of Switzerland proved to be Taruffi's crowning moment in F1. The weekend got off to a good start with Piero putting the #30 Short Nose 500 F2 on the front row with the second best qualifying performance. Farina was on pole with the #28, and Manzon rounded out the 3-car-wide grid with his Gordini.
When the race got underway, Taruffi tucked up behind his teammate, the pair maintaining an impressive pace, until Farina's 500 F2 let him down. Taruffi, however, was free from mechanical issues and maintained a punishing pace that saw him lap every car but one by the time the checkered flag flew! It was a dominant win, and it would prove to be his one and only F1 victory!
