Alfa Romeo 179

Alfa Romeo 179, 179B, 179C, 179D

An Alfa Romeo 179D in Marlboro livery.
Category Formula One
Constructor Alfa Romeo
Designer(s) Carlo Chiti
Robert Choulet
Predecessor 177
Successor 182
Technical specifications
Chassis Aluminum monocoque
Carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front) Lower wishbones, top rockers, inboard shocks
Suspension (rear) Lower wishbones, parallel top links, inboard shocks
Engine Alfa Romeo 1260 2,991 cc (182.5 cu in) 60° V12 naturally aspirated, mid-engined, longitudinally mounted
Transmission Alfa/Hewland 5 or 6 speed manual
Fuel Agip
Tyres Goodyear (1979-1980)
Michelin (1981-1982)
Competition history
Notable entrants Autodelta (1979) 4 races
Marlboro Team Alfa Romeo (1980-1982)
Notable drivers 1. Bruno Giacomelli 2. Vittorio Brambilla (1979)
1. Andrea de Cesaris 2. Bruno Giacomelli 3. Vittorio Brambilla 4. Patrick Depailler (1980)
1. Mario Andretti 2. Bruno Giacomelli (1981)
Debut 1979 Italian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF.Laps
63010
Constructors' Championships 0
Drivers' Championships 0
n.b. Unless otherwise stated, all data refer to
Formula One World Championship Grands Prix only.

The Alfa Romeo 179 is a Formula One car which was used (in different variants) by the Alfa Romeo team from 1979 to 1982. The 179 made its debut at the 1979 Italian Grand Prix, replacing the flat-12 engined Alfa Romeo 177. During its lifespan there were many versions and 179D version was used for the last time at the 1982 South African Grand Prix.

Rear view of 179 B (1981) in Turin Automobile museum.[1]
179 F version in Alfa Romeo Museum.

At the beginning of the 1981 season, the 179s were fitted with adjustable dampers and denoted as 179C.[2] A lower 179D was the next evolution and the final version which raced was the fully carbon-fibre 179F. Alfa Romeo suffered a sad loss when Patrick Depailler was killed while testing the car at Hockenheim in 1980.[3]

There was also a V8-engined version of this car, the 179T in 1982, which was used for testing the 1.5 L turbocharged engine.[4]

The 179's best achievements were Bruno Giacomelli's pole position at the 1980 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen and 3rd place in the 1981 Caesars Palace Grand Prix. The car scored 14 points from 61 races.

Variants:

Model Number of Grands Prix Seasons Debut Last race
Alfa Romeo 179301979–19801979 Italian GP1980 United States GP
Alfa Romeo 179B219811981 Austrian GP1981 Dutch GP
Alfa Romeo 179C2419811981 US West GP1981 Caesars Palace GP
Alfa Romeo 179D61981–19821981 Austrian GP1982 South African GP


Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Points WCC
1979 Autodelta Alfa Romeo 1260 V12 G ARG BRA RSA USW ESP BEL MON FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA CAN USA 0 13th
Bruno Giacomelli Ret Ret
Vittorio Brambilla Ret DNQ
1980 Marlboro Team Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo 1260 V12 G ARG BRA RSA USW BEL MON FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA CAN USA 4 11th
Andrea de Cesaris Ret Ret
Bruno Giacomelli 5 13 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 5 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret
Vittorio Brambilla Ret Ret
Patrick Depailler Ret Ret NC Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret
1981 Marlboro Team Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo 1260 V12 M USW BRA ARG SMR BEL MON ESP FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA CAN CPL 10 9th
Mario Andretti 4 Ret 8 Ret 10 Ret 8 8 Ret 9 Ret Ret Ret 7 Ret
Bruno Giacomelli Ret NC 10 Ret 9 Ret 10 15 Ret 15 Ret Ret 8 4 3
1982 Marlboro Team Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo 1260 V12 M RSA BRA USW SMR BEL MON DET CAN NED GBR FRA GER AUT SUI ITA CPL 7 10th
Andrea de Cesaris 13
Bruno Giacomelli 11

Notes

  1. ↑ "museoauto". museoauto.it. Archived from the original on 24 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
  2. ↑ "Alfa Romeo 179". ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
  3. ↑ "Committed to life". forix.com. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
  4. ↑ "Alfa Romeo 179T". statsf1.com (in French). Retrieved 2008-01-09.