A1GP Powered by Ferrari car

A1GP Powered by Ferrari car^[1]^[2]
	A1 GP powered by Ferrari race car.
Category	A1 Grand Prix
Constructor	Ferrari
Predecessor	A1 Grand Prix car
Successor	None
Technical specifications
Chassis	Carbon-fibre monocoque with honeycomb structure
Suspension (front)	Double wishbone with pushrod operated coil-over damper units
Suspension (rear)	Double wishbone with pushrod operated coil-over damper units
Length	569 mm (22.4 in)
Width	666.5 mm (26.24 in)
Height	446 mm (17.6 in)
Engine	Ferrari F136 4.5 L (275 cu in) V8 (90°) naturally-aspirated
Torque	406 lb⋅ft (550 N⋅m)
Transmission	Magneti Marelli 6-speed sequential semi-automatic paddle-shift
Power	540 bhp (400 kW) (in race mode); 600–650 bhp (450–480 kW) (in PowerBoost mode)
Weight	700 kg (1,500 lb)
Fuel	Shell E10 102 RON
Brakes	Brembo
Tyres	Michelin
Clutch	AP three-plate carbon/carbon with steel hub
Competition history
Notable entrants	All A1 teams
Notable drivers	All A1 drivers
Debut	2008–09 A1GP Netherlands
Last event	2008–09 A1GP Britain

A1GP Powered by Ferrari car is a vehicle designed to compete in the A1 Grand Prix. The chassis is based on the Formula One Ferrari F2004 chassis. It is made from carbon-fibre skins with an aluminium honeycomb core, and has been tested to meet all FIA crash safety standards. Only 23 cars were ever made.^[3]

Design

History

On October 11, 2007, A1GP and Ferrari announced a six-year collaboration on the new generation of A1GP cars. The new "Powered by Ferrari" car is a modification of the Formula One Ferrari F2004 chassis with a V8 Ferrari engine producing 600 bhp.^[4] The car was officially revealed in Southern England, and driven for the first time by John Watson in an inaugural event in May 2008. Michelin supplied the tyres for the new car.^[5]

The car was developed and tested over more than 5,600 km (3,500 mi) at Mugello Circuit, Fiorano Circuit, Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Circuito Guadix, Silverstone Circuit, Donington Park, Circuit Paul Ricard and Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. Andrea Bertolini was the main test driver, but testing was carried out by Marc Gené, Patrick Friesacher, Jonny Kane and Danny Watts during the sessions at Silverstone Circuit.^[6]^[7]^[8]^[9]^[10]^[11]

On July 22, 2008, information regarding the then-new "Powered by Ferrari" A1GP car was revealed.^[12]

On August 2–3 2008, the first press and public presentation of this car was held on the TT Circuit Assen with former A1 Team Netherlands driver, Renger van der Zande.^[13] Two weeks after, the car was presented in Rotterdam during the Bavaria City Racing Festival. The A1 Team Netherlands car was driven by Carlo van Dam.^[14]

Pre-season tests of the new 'powered by Ferrari' car took place on consecutive weekends in September at Donington Park, Mugello and Snetterton.^[15]

It was only used for the 2008–2009 season as the series was cancelled for the next season.

PowerBoost

Each car is equipped with a unique PowerBoost system, a mechanism to provide short bursts of increased power to create additional overtaking opportunities and action throughout the race. By changing the engine's parameters, the system can give the driver additional power over a limited time during each race to take the car from the base 540 bhp (400 kW) to its maximum power of 600 bhp (450 kW).

The PowerBoost is driver-activated by a button mounted on the steering wheel. While the number of PowerBoost uses remain unchanged from Zytek era (4 times in Sprint races and 8 times in Feature races), a new rule for the season allowed drivers to use it for the entirety of a single lap during qualifying sessions.^[16]

Wheels and tyres

Michelin was contracted to be the exclusive tyre supplier for three seasons beginning with 2008–09 season. Only one season was completed under this contract as the series was cancelled afterwards. Wheel rims were supplied by OZ Racing.

Engine

The engine is built by Ferrari. It is a 4.5-litre Ferrari F136 V8 engine capable of delivering 600 bhp (450 kW) in PowerBoost mode. The new engine weighs 160 kg, 40 kg more than the previously-used Zytek engines.

Configuration: 90 degree V8
Displacement: 4.5 L (275 cu in)
Width: 666.5 mm (26.24 in)
Height: 446 mm (17.6 in)
Length: 569 mm (22.4 in)
Weight: 160 kg (350 lb)
Cylinder block: Die-cast aluminium alloy
Cylinder head: Sand-cast aluminium alloy
Valvetrain: 4 overhead camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder
Engine Management: Bosch MED 9.6
Injection: Gasoline direct injection
Spark plugs: NGK
Fuel: Shell E10 102 RON
Max Torque: 406 lb⋅ft (550 N⋅m)
Max power: 600 bhp (450 kW)
Max speed: 320 km/h (200 mph)

Technical specifications

Weight: Approx 700 kg (1,500 lb) including driver, race-ready (excluding fuel)
Front and rear suspension: Double wishbone with pushrod operated coil-over damper units. Adjustable ride height, cambers and toe, adjustable anti-dive and anti-squat to optimize drive control
Anti-roll bar: Multi-adjustable, quick-change front, and rear roll bars
Chassis: Carbon fiber skins, aluminum honeycomb core. Tested to meet all applicable FIA crash safety standards
Bodywork: Lightweight composite bodywork
Gearbox: Six-speed longitudinal sequential. Gear selection via a Magneti Marelli semi-automatic paddle-shift system
Driveline: Tripod jointed driveshafts
Brakes: Brembo carbon discs, six-pot aluminum calipers
Dampers: Penske VBP-45, two-way adjustable
Wheels: Front 13” dia. X 12” Rear 13” dia. X 14”
Steering: Titan angle drive bevel and two-pinion ratios
Steering wheel: 280 mm (11 in) diameter carbon, with mounted LCD dash
Instrumentation and display: Magneti Marelli mounted display unit; Multi-channel logging facility for engineering analysis
Seat belt: FIA approved Sabelt six-point safety harness
Fuel cell: ATL fuel cell approximately 150 L (40 US gal) capacity and designed to take up to 50 percent ethanol
Clutch: AP three-plate carbon/carbon with steel hub
Tyres: Michelin control slick and treaded wet tires