The Ferrari 641, also known as the Ferrari F1-90, is the Formula One car with which Ferrari competed in the 1990 World Championship. It won six Grands Prix in the hands of Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell.
Ferrari 641 at a glance
| Season | 1990 |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Ferrari F1-90 |
| Based on | Ferrari 640 of 1989 |
| Designers | John Barnard, completed under Steve Nichols |
| Engine | 3.5-litre V12, types 036 and 037 |
| Power | 680 bhp (507 kW; 689 PS) |
| Gearbox | semi-automatic, developed in 1989 |
| Drivers | Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell |
| Wins | six (Prost five, Mansell one) |
| Traction control debut | 1990 Portuguese Grand Prix, Estoril |
based on one source (English Wikipedia).
History of the Ferrari 641
The 641 was a developed version of its predecessor, the 1989 Ferrari 640 designed by John Barnard. The updated design was overseen by former McLaren designer Steve Nichols after Barnard left Ferrari for Benetton once the car’s development was complete. Power came from a 3.5-litre V12, first the type 036 and later, from San Marino, the updated 037, rated at 680 bhp — only slightly down on the 690 bhp Honda V10 used by McLaren, though less flexible at the exit of slow corners. Despite its heavier engine, the 641 was among the best-handling cars on the grid, and Prost called it the best car of the year.
Technology
Ferrari’s 641 was the first Formula One car to use an effective traction control system, which debuted at the 1990 Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril, less than two years before Williams brought its own system to the FW14B. Ferrari’s technicians started work on the Tuesday after the Italian Grand Prix in September and had a rudimentary system running in Portugal less than two weeks later; it relied on little more than software and a wheel speed sensor. The car also incorporated the semi-automatic gearbox developed during the previous season, reworked aerodynamics and a slightly longer wheelbase than its predecessor. Nichols designed it around Prost’s smooth driving style, and the Frenchman worked hard on gearbox reliability and on bringing the team closer together. A variable inlet trumpet system was tested through the season but never became standard.
1990 season
Ferrari’s major coup was signing the reigning World Champion Prost from McLaren to partner Nigel Mansell. The car took six wins that season, five of them for Prost, including a remarkable victory from 13th on the grid in Mexico, and he challenged Ayrton Senna for the championship. In the same race Mansell passed Gerhard Berger with a daring move at the fearsome Peraltada corner. The 641 occasionally struggled in qualifying but appeared to have the edge over the McLarens in race trim, particularly at high-speed circuits; at the British Grand Prix Mansell dominated qualifying while Prost struggled.
Design and features
- First effective traction control: introduced at Estoril in 1990, two years before Williams.
- Semi-automatic gearbox: carried over from the 640 and further refined.
- 3.5-litre V12: 680 bhp from the type 036 and later 037 engines.
- Handling: heavy engine but among the best-handling cars of the season.
- Six wins: five for Prost, one for Mansell, in the 1990 championship.
Ferrari 641 versions
- 641 with Tipo 036: the early-season engine.
- 641 with Tipo 037: the updated engine from San Marino onwards.
- Predecessor 640 (1989): the Barnard-designed car the 641 was developed from.
The 641’s V12 was later enlarged for the Ferrari 333 SP; its successor in Formula One was the Ferrari 642.
Video: Ferrari 641/2 – 1990 (Emozione Ferrari)
Video by sagitt76 on YouTube.
Sources
- Ferrari 641, English Wikipedia: development, engine, traction control, 1990 season
