The Tipo 512 was first tested on September 12, 1940 by Alfa Romeo chief test driver Consalvo Sanesi, despite being very powerful its handling was not good
Consalvo Sanesi (28 March 1911, Terranuova Bracciolini, Arezzo – 28 July 1998, Milan) was best known as the Alfa Romeo works' test driver in the period following World War II, but he also competed in five Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on September 3, 1950.