Ferrari 156 F1

Ferrari 156
Category Formula One
Constructor Ferrari
Designer(s) Carlo Chiti
Predecessor 246 F1
Successor 158
Technical specifications
Chassis Tubular Spaceframe
Engine Ferrari Type 178, 1,477 cc (90.1 cu in), 120° V6 2 valves per cylinder DOHC, naturally aspirated Mid-engined, longitudinally mounted
Transmission Ferrari Type 543/C 5-speed manual
Fuel Shell
Tyres Dunlop
Competition history
Notable entrants Scuderia Ferrari
FISA
Scuderia Sant Ambroeus
Notable drivers United States Phil Hill
West Germany Wolfgang von Trips
United States Richie Ginther
Belgium Willy Mairesse
Italy Giancarlo Baghetti
Mexico Ricardo Rodríguez
Italy Lorenzo Bandini
United Kingdom John Surtees
Italy Ludovico Scarfiotti
Debut 1961 Monaco Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF.Laps
29777
Constructors' Championships 2 (1961, 1964)[1]
Drivers' Championships 1 (1961Phil Hill)
n.b. Unless otherwise stated, all data refer to
Formula One World Championship Grands Prix only.

The Ferrari 156 was a racecar 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.

Ferrari started the season with a 65 degrees Dino engine, then replaced by a new engine with the V-angle increased to 120 degrees and designed by Carlo Chiti. This increased the power by 10 hp (7 kW). Bore and stroke were 73.0 x 58.8 mm (2.3 in) with a displacement of 1,476.60 cc and a claimed 190 hp (142 kW) at 9,500 rpm. For 1962 a 24-valve version was planned with 200 hp (149 kW) at 10,000 rpm, but never appeared. In 1963 the 12-valve version fitted with Bosch direct-fuel injection instead of carburetors achieved that power level. The last victory for the Ferrari 156 was achieved by Italian Lorenzo Bandini in the 1964 Austrian Grand Prix.

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.

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]

Sharknose

The 1961 version was affectionately dubbed "sharknose" due to its characteristic air intake "nostrils". Then-Ferrari factory policy inevitably saw all the remaining sharknose 156s scrapped by the end of the 1963 season. Nevertheless such an F 156 is exhibited in the "Galleria Ferrari"[5] at Maranello, probably a replica. A similar intake duct styling was applied over forty years later to the Ferrari F430.

1963 Ferrari 156 Aero

The updated Ferrari 156, used in the 1963 and 1964 seasons, did not feature the distinctive sharknose design.[6] but had a rather conventional intake, somewhat larger than the Ferrari 158 introduced in 1964.

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.

Famous drivers

In popular culture

Complete Formula One World Championship results

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

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Points WCC
1961 Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC Ferrari 188 1.5 V6
Ferrari 178 1.5 V6
D MON NED BEL FRA GBR GER ITA USA 40 (52) 1st
United States Richie Ginther 2 5 3 15 3 8 Ret
United States Phil Hill 3 2 1 9 2 3 1
Germany Wolfgang von Trips 4 1 2 Ret 1 2 Ret
Belgium Olivier Gendebien 4
Belgium Willy Mairesse Ret Ret
Mexico Ricardo Rodríguez Ret
FISA Italy Giancarlo Baghetti 1
Scuderia Sant Ambroeus Ret Ret
1962 Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC Ferrari 178 1.5 V6 D NED MON BEL FRA GBR GER ITA USA RSA 18 6th
United States Phil Hill 3 2 3 Ret Ret 11
Italy Giancarlo Baghetti 4 Ret 10 5
Mexico Ricardo Rodríguez Ret DNS 4 6 14
Italy Lorenzo Bandini 3 Ret 8
Belgium Willy Mairesse 7 Ret 4
1963 Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC Ferrari 178 1.5 V6 D MON BEL NED FRA GBR GER ITA USA MEX RSA 26 4th
Belgium Willy Mairesse Ret Ret Ret
United Kingdom John Surtees 4 Ret 3 Ret 2 1 Ret 9 DSQ Ret
Italy Ludovico Scarfiotti WD 6 DNS
Italy Lorenzo Bandini Ret 5 Ret 5
1964 Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC Ferrari 178 1.5 V6 D MON NED BEL FRA GBR GER AUT ITA USA MEX 45 (49) 1st
Italy Lorenzo Bandini 10 5 3 1
Italy Ludovico Scarfiotti 9
North American Racing Team Mexico Pedro Rodríguez 6

References

  1. In the 1964 season F156 was used in 6 Grand Prix, guided by Lorenzo Bandini (4 races), Ludovico Scarfiotti and Pedro Rodrígues (each 1) and scored 9 points for the Constructors' Championships.
  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 World: the official website dedicated to the Galleria Ferrari
  6. 1963 Ferrari 156 Aero on www.f1technical.net