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.
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. 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.
The car was developed and tested over more than 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.
On July 22, 2008, information regarding the then-new "Powered by Ferrari" A1GP car was revealed.
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. 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.
Pre-season tests of the new 'powered by Ferrari' car took place on consecutive weekends in September at Donington Park, Mugello and Snetterton.
It was only used for the 2008–2009 season as the series was cancelled for the next season.
PowerBoost
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.
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 to its maximum power of .
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.
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 in PowerBoost mode. The new engine weighs 160 kg, 40 kg more than the previously-used Zytek engines.
Configuration: 90 degree V8
Displacement: Width: Height: Length: Weight: 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: Max power: Max speed: