Ferrari_156_F1

Ferrari 156 F1

The Ferrari 156 was a racing car made by Ferrari in 1961 to comply with then-new Formula One regulations that reduced engine displacement from 2.5- to 1.5-litres, similar to the pre-1961 Formula Two class for which Ferrari had developed a mid-engined car also called 156 F2.

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Phil Hill won the 1961 World Championship of Drivers[2] and Ferrari secured the 1961 International Cup for F1 Manufacturers,[3] both victories achieved with the 156.[4]

Development

Sharknose

The 1961 version was affectionately dubbed "sharknose" due to its characteristic air intake "nostrils". A similar intake duct styling was applied to the five SP-series Ferraris[5] in 1961 and 1962 that were also designed by Carlo Chiti, and then again over forty years later to the Ferrari F430.

Wolfgang von Trips (1928–1961) driving the 156 at the 1961 Dutch Grand Prix, showing the car's distinctive "sharknose"

Ferrari started the season with a 65-degree Dino engine, then replaced by a new engine with the V-angle increased to 120-degrees and designed by Carlo Chiti. A V-6 engine with 120-degree bank is smoother at producing power because every 120-degree rotation of engine crankshaft produces a power pulse. This change increased the power by 7 kW (10 hp). Bore and stroke were 73.0 mm × 58.8 mm (2.87 in × 2.31 in) with a displacement of 1,476.60 cc (90.108 cu in) and a claimed 140 kW (188 hp) at 9500 rpm.[6] For 1962, a 4-valve per cylinder version was planned with 147 kW (197 hp) at 10,000 rpm, but never appeared. At the 1962 British Grand Prix, Phil Hill raced a new version with a six-speed transmission mounted in front of the engine. In August, at the German Grand Prix, Lorenzo Bandini tested a non-sharknose variant with modified front and rear suspension and a smaller radiator,[7] heralding the 156 Aero used in 1963.

1963 Ferrari 156 Aero

Ferrari 156 "Aero" at the 1964 Austrian Grand Prix

The updated Ferrari 156, used in the 1963 and 1964 seasons, did not feature the distinctive sharknose design.[8] but had a rather conventional intake, somewhat larger than the Ferrari 158 introduced in 1964.

In 1963 the 120° V6 employed Bosch direct-fuel injection instead of carburetors and output increased to 147 kW (197 hp). The last victory for the Ferrari 156 was achieved by Italian Lorenzo Bandini in the 1964 Austrian Grand Prix.[9]

Technical data

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Monza crash

On September 10, 1961, after a collision with Jim Clark's Lotus on the second lap of the Italian Grand Prix, the 156 of Wolfgang von Trips (Hill's teammate) became airborne and crashed into a side barrier, fatally throwing him from the car and killing fifteen spectators.

Replicas

Ferrari factory policy in the early 1960s meant that all the original cars were scrapped.[10] Since then at least two replicas of the 156 F1 have been constructed. One was created for the film La Passione, which features the car as a major subject, and another was constructed by an enthusiast for personal use.[11] A 156 replica is also exhibited in the "Galleria Ferrari".[12]

Famous drivers

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

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References

  1. In the 1964 season the 156 was used in 6 Grands Prix, driven by Lorenzo Bandini (4 races), Ludovico Scarfiotti and Pedro Rodríguez (each 1) and scored 9 points for the Constructors' Championship.
  2. FIA Yearbook 1973, Grey section, pages 118–119
  3. FIA Yearbook 1973, Grey section, pages 120–121
  4. Peter Higham, The Guinness Guide to International Motor Racing, 1995, pages 38–40
  5. "Ferrari SP Series". Official Ferrari Website. Ferrari.
  6. "Ferrari 156 F1". formula1.ferrari.com. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  7. Blunsden, John (September 1962). "Skyfall över Tysklands GP" [Deluge on German GP]. Illustrerad Motor Sport (in Swedish). No. 9. Lerum, Sweden. p. 25.
  8. "Ferrari 156 F1-63". formula1.ferrari.com. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  9. "Resurrecting the 156". Motor Sport: Page 72. June 2021.
  10. Havelock, Steve (30 September 2010). "Shark Tales". Forza Magazine. Retrieved 12 May 2023.

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