The Ferrari 642, also known as the Ferrari F1-91, is a Formula One car designed by Steve Nichols and Jean-Claude Migeot and used by Scuderia Ferrari in the 1991 season. It was a development of the 641 chassis that had challenged for the championship in 1990.
Ferrari 642 at a glance
| Season | 1991, first part |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Ferrari F1-91 |
| Designers | Steve Nichols, Jean-Claude Migeot |
| Based on | Ferrari 641 chassis |
| Best result | second, Alain Prost, 1991 United States Grand Prix |
| Replaced by | Ferrari 643, at the 1991 French Grand Prix |
| Drivers | Alain Prost, Jean Alesi |
based on one source (English Wikipedia); the source is short, so this article is shorter than most on the site. The video shows a 1991 Monza test and is not specific to this chassis.
History of the Ferrari 642
Ferrari started 1991 with high hopes of winning the championship. Jean Alesi signed for the Scuderia when Nigel Mansell returned to Williams, and the 642 was an evolution of the 641 rather than a new design; the same team of Steve Nichols and Jean-Claude Migeot was responsible. The car’s best result was a second place taken by Alain Prost at the 1991 United States Grand Prix, held on the Phoenix street circuit.
The car’s short life
The 642 was not successful enough to last a season. Ferrari replaced it with the Ferrari 643 at the 1991 French Grand Prix, which was introduced after development work in May. The 643 was created because the 642 suffered inconsistent handling and needed softer suspension travel, as Prost had requested, so the chassis was a total redesign rather than a further update.
In context
The 642 belongs to the line that began with the Barnard-designed 640 of 1989, carried on through the championship-challenging 641 of 1990 and ended with the 643 of 1991, after which Ferrari moved to the F92A for 1992. The 642’s brief career reflects a period of turbulence at Maranello, where technical direction changed quickly and a car could be replaced within a few races.
Design and features
- Evolution, not revolution: built on the 641 chassis that had won six races in 1990.
- Designed by Nichols and Migeot: the technical team that followed John Barnard.
- Short career: replaced by the 643 at the French Grand Prix, halfway into the season.
- Best finish: second place for Prost on the Phoenix street circuit.
Ferrari 642 versions
- 642 (early 1991): the car raced from the start of the season to the French Grand Prix.
The 642 followed the Ferrari 641 and was replaced by the Ferrari 643.
Video: F1 – Monza test FOCA 1991
Video by Apulenelio Fa on YouTube.
Sources
- Ferrari 642, English Wikipedia: design, 1991 results, replacement
