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'F' is For…

FEATURE BY MIKE LAWRENCE
23/05/2011

Ferrari is complaining about the upcoming F1 formula, with its 1600cc turbocharged four-cylinder engines and some are saying that Ferrari is winging and being manipulative. For once, I am sympathetic, I think that Ferrari has a valid point.

Every formula is designed to restrict performance and, ideally, Formula One should have a connection to the everyday world The FIA has framed its formula in consultation with teams and manufacturers and it is ironic that the President, Jean Todt, connected with Ferrari for so many years should now be facing criticism from Maranello.

Todt has kept a low profile, but F1 has been running smoothly. Pirelli received specific instructions this year and the racing has been among the best I can remember. You could argue that short-life tyres are an artificial factor, but the rules are the same for everyone.

No doubt the 2013 cars will soon be even quicker than those of today, but Ferrari is the only manufacturer in F1 whose range consists solely of supercars and while a 1600cc turbo four will fit nicely in a Fiat, Ferrari's owner, it does not relate to Ferrari's product.

Around 1960, a four-cylinder one-litre engine was developed in Maranello to make a 'mini-Ferrari' and with it a chassis designed by Giotto Bizzarini. Then Enzo thought better of it and sold the project to an outfit called ASA, which made about five dozen cars.

Ferrari went so far as to make a small car. It would have been hugely expensive compared to say, an Abarth, but it would have had its adherents. Time was when the typical Ferrari owner was in his mid-fifties, he had made his way in the world, seen the kids through college and was rewarding himself. A small car might have been a useful entry model for some marques, but Ferrari decided to remain a premium brand, like Cartier.

None of Ferrari's rivals like Aston Martin, Lamborghini or Porsche are in Formula One. Mercedes-Benz makes some magnificent sports cars, but it also makes the A Class and the Smart city car.

Ferrari has made small-engined cars, the original 2-litre Dino 206 for one. What was marketed in most places as the 308 GTB was also available as the 2-litre 208 in Italy as a 'tax-break' car.

One of the most iconic of all F1 Ferraris was the 1961 T156 'sharknose' made for the 1500cc formula. An essential difference between the F1 of 1961-65 was the freedom designers had. Ferrari used V6, V8 and flat-12 engines, and all were then exotic. A 1600cc 'four' is all a bit High Street.

There have been Ferrari 'fours' and Alberto Ascari dominated Grand Prix racing, 1952/3 in a Ferrari T500. In the 1950s there were even large capacity sports cars, the 750 Monza among them. Ferrari was flexible enough to respond to conditions and it chose four-cylinder engines when they were considered appropriate, a limit on design was not imposed.

Although the 1.5-litre Formula One had detractors, the cars were soon quicker than their larger predecessors. I guess the same will happen with the 2013 formula.

Together with the smaller engine in 2013, comes a restriction on revs, a limitation of fuel and the encouragement of engine recovery systems. All this is designed to make F1 more 'green' though actually motor racing never can be. The transporters are not going to use less fuel, nor are the motorhomes, and it is a fair bet that they devour more fossils than the cars in a Grand Prix.

Bosses of sponsoring companies are still going to arrive in their company jets and be met by limos.

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