Footwork FA12

Last updated
Footwork FA12
Footwork FA12C
Flickr - wbaiv - DSC 0167.jpg
Category Formula One
Constructor Footwork Arrows
Designers Alan Jenkins (Technical Director)
Dave Amey (Chief Designer)
Predecessor Arrows A11C
Successor FA13
Technical specifications [1] [2]
Chassis Carbon fibre and Kevlar monocoque
Engine FA12: mid-engine, longitudinally-mounted, 3,499 cc (213.5 cu in), Porsche 3512, 80° V12, NA
FA12C: mid-engine, longitudinally-mounted, 3,493 cc (213.2 cu in), Ford DFR, 90° V8, NA
Transmission Hewland Transverse 6-speed semi-automatic
Power680 hp @ 13,000 rpm (FA12 Porsche V-12), [3] 620-630 hp @ 11,250 rpm (FA12C Ford-Cosworth V-8) [4]
Fuel Shell
Tyres Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants Footwork Grand Prix International
Notable drivers9. Flag of Italy.svg Michele Alboreto
10. Flag of Italy.svg Alex Caffi
10. Flag of Sweden.svg Stefan Johansson
Debut 1991 San Marino Grand Prix
Last event 1991 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWins Poles F/Laps
14000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Footwork FA12 was a Formula One car designed and built by the Footwork Arrows team for the 1991 season. The number 9 car was driven by Michele Alboreto and the number 10 car was shared by Alex Caffi and Stefan Johansson. The team had no test driver.

Contents

The FA12 was intended to start the season, but the new Porsche 3512 engine was so large and bulky that the car had to be re-designed to install it properly, [5] so a 1990-based car called the A11C was used for the first three race meetings. [6]

The FA12 finally debuted at the San Marino Grand Prix, where Caffi failed to qualify the new car (Alboreto still had an A11C). For the following Monaco Grand Prix both drivers had FA12s - Caffi once again failed to qualify and Alboreto retired from the race. Stefan Johansson replaced Caffi at the Canadian Grand Prix after Caffi sustained injuries in a road accident; [7] this time both drivers qualified but both also retired from the race. The Mexican Grand Prix was the last appearance of the Porsche engine; Johansson failed to qualify and Alboreto again retired from the race.

Before the next race in France, the team switched to the Ford-Cosworth DFR 3.5-litre, V8 engine, in a modified version of the car designated the FA12C. [8] But results were not much better; the last 10 races of the season yielded only 7 starts and 4 finishes, with a best placing of 10th.

Complete Formula One results

(key)

YearEntrantChassisEngineTyresDriver12345678910111213141516Pts.WCC
1991 Footwork Arrows FA12 Porsche 3512
V12
G USA BRA SMR MON CAN MEX FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR ESP JPN AUS 0NC
Michele Alboreto RetRetRet
Alex Caffi DNQDNQ
Stefan Johansson RetDNQ
FA12C Ford DFR
V8
Michele Alboreto RetRetDNQDNQDNPQDNQ15RetDNQ130NC
Stefan Johansson DNQDNQ
Alex Caffi DNPQDNPQDNQDNPQDNPQDNPQ1015

References

  1. "Footwork FA12". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  2. "Footwork FA12C". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  3. "Engine Porsche". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  4. "Engine Ford Cosworth". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  5. "8W - Why? - Engine failures". www.forix.com. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  6. "Footwork A11C - ChicaneF1.com". www.chicanef1.com. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  7. "Canadian GP, 1991". www.grandprix.com. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  8. "Footwork FA12C - ChicaneF1.com". www.chicanef1.com. Retrieved 14 December 2020.