Dallara SF14

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Dallara SF14
Loic Duval 2014 Super Formula Motegi Warm-up.jpg
Toyota-powered SF14 of Team LeMans, driven by Loïc Duval
Category Super Formula
Constructor Dallara
Predecessor Swift FN09
Successor Dallara SF19
Technical specifications [1]
Chassis Sandwich Carbon/aluminium honeycomb structure designed by Dallara [2]
Suspension (front)Pushrod with torsion bar
Suspension (rear)Pushrod
Length5,268 mm (207 in)
Width1,900 mm (75 in)
Height960 mm (38 in)
Wheelbase 3,165 mm (125 in)
Engine Honda HR-414E or Toyota RI4A, 2,000 cubic centimetres (122 cubic inches; 2 litres), I4, Turbocharged (supplied by Garrett), mid-mounted
Transmission Ricardo 6 forward + 1 reverse semi-automatic paddle-shift
Power550 brake horsepower (560 PS; 410 kW)
500 newton-metres (370 lbf⋅ft)
Weight660 kg (1,455.1 lb) (including driver)
Fuel100 RON [ citation needed ]
Brakes Calipers: Brembo (carbon)
Discs: Brembo (carbon)
Tyres 2014 2015 Bridgestone Potenza
2016 Yokohama Advan (front: 250/620R13, rear: 360/620R13)
Competition history
Debut 2014

The Dallara SF14 is a single-seater open-wheel racing car chassis designed and built by the Italian company Dallara. It was the exclusive chassis for the Japanese Super Formula series from the 2014 season until the 2018 season, when it was replaced by the Dallara SF19.

Contents

History

In September 2012, Dallara were announced as the exclusive chassis provider for the next generation Super Formula car. [3] Their first, the SF14 was officially unveiled in March 2013 in Tokyo as the replacement for the Swift FN09. Its design was a collaborative effort, with input from drivers and a focus on safety. The chassis was a sandwich carbon fiber/aluminium build, designed to mirror the 2010 Formula One safety regulations to enhance driver protection. The car's aerodynamic features included a Drag Reduction System (DRS), similar to that used in Formula One, to assist with overtaking. A series of LED lights on the rollhoop of the car light up to demonstrate when a driver is utilising OTC. [2] [4]

The first shakedown was scheduled for July 2013. [5] Kazuki Nakajima (Toyota) and Takuya Izawa (Honda) drove the new SF14 at Fuji Speedway over two days in July, lowering the existing series lap record by three seconds. Further tests were scheduled for Motegi, Sugo and Suzuka. [6]

Manufacturing and Controversy

The fact that the series' chassis was made by a non-Japanese company was a source of some controversy. [7] While the chassis was designed and manufactured by Dallara, an Italian company, approximately 30% of the parts were sourced from Japan. The vehicle supply was handled by Le Mans Co, LTD, based in Tokyo. [8]

Specification

Team Mugen SF14 at the 2017 Tokyo Auto Salon Dallara SF14 (Mugen) front-right 2017 Tokyo Auto Salon.jpg
Team Mugen SF14 at the 2017 Tokyo Auto Salon

Performance

The SF14 was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with manufacturers Honda and Toyota confirmed as the sole suppliers. The engines produced around 550 horsepower. The car's low weight, combined with its powerful engine, allowed it to exceed speeds of 320 km/h (200 mph). [7]

Honda utilised their HR series engines, whilst Toyota used RI power units manufactured by Gazoo Racing.

Tyres

The SF14 debuted with Bridgestone Potenza tyres, but in 2016 was replaced by Yokohama as the exclusive control tyre supplier to the series. [9]

Statistics

Records [10]
RecordHolderAchieved
Most race wins Flag of Germany.svg Andre Lotterer 6
Most championships Flag of Japan.svg Hiroaki Ishiura 2
Most starts Flag of Japan.svg Hiroaki Ishiura
Flag of Japan.svg Yuji Kunimoto
Flag of Japan.svg Naoki Yamamoto
Flag of Japan.svg Tomoki Nojiri
Flag of India.svg Narain Karthikeyan
39
Fastest lap Flag of Japan.svg Kazuki Nakajima00.44.008
Tsukuba Circuit

References

  1. "Super Formula Series Outline".
  2. 1 2 "Here's How A Super Formula Car Compares To A Formula 1 Machine". carthrottle.com.
  3. "Rising Sun report 4: The Italians move in". racecar-engineering.com.
  4. "2014 Super Formula concept revealed". racecar-engineering.com.
  5. "Regarding The First Shakedown Test Of The New "SF14" Chassis And Engine Slated For The 2014 Season Onward" (PDF). superformula.net.
  6. "R T014 AT FUJI". Dallara Magazine. Italy: Dallara. 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Dallara SF14". italiaspeed.com.
  8. "Dallara". lemans.co.jp.
  9. "YOKOHAMA to continue supplying tyres for SUPER FORMULA from 2023 and develop racing tyres using sustainable materials". yokohama.eu.
  10. "End of an era: Farewell to Super Formula's SF14". motorsport.com.