What you see above is the first rendering released of the upcoming spec racer that Ferrari is designing for the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. If it looks familiar to racing fans, it should: the new car is based heavily on the Scuderia Ferrari F2004 grand prix car, which is a good place to start. The F2004 took the checkered flag at a dominant 15 out of 18 races in its epynumerous Formula One season, taking both the world championships (drivers and constructors), making it one of the most successful racing cars of all time.
We initially brought you news of the contract back in October '07, when at first it looked like Ferrari would "merely" supply the engines for the cars, later becoming evident that Ferrari was overseeing the entire design process as well, in conjunction with A1GP's own technicians. Instead of the V10 that powered the F2004, the new A1GP car will use a Ferrari-sourced V8 producing around 600 horsepower. The monoposto is scheduled to run its first laps this coming Friday, when we can expect A1GP to release some new images and data on the car that its teams campaign starting next season.
PRESS RELEASE
A1GP Reveals First Image of 'Powered by Ferrari' Car Ahead of UK Shakedown
London, Great Britain - A1GP World Cup of Motorsport has revealed the first image of its brand new 'Powered by Ferrari' car for use in season four (2008/09). The CAD drawing was released ahead of the car's inaugural shakedown test in Southern England.
A1GP's own tv commentator and Formula One legend, John Watson, will have the honour of driving the car for the first time, powered by a V8 Ferrari engine producing in the region of 600 bhp.
The chassis is based on the design of the highly successful F2004 chassis, incorporating A1GP's core values to deliver close, exciting racing among a competitive field where overtaking is an essential part of the entertainment.
A1GP Technical Director, John Travis, is overseeing the design, development and production of the car from premises in Bognor Regis in the UK, with Rory Byrne acting as a consultant. Meanwhile the work on the manufacture and supply of the A1GP engine is being overseen by Ferrari's Jean-Jacques His.
The Powered by Ferrari project was first announced on 11 October 2007 when the most famous name in motorsport signed a six-year agreement to manufacture and supply all A1GP engines for this unique series and provide consultancy on the design of all A1GP chassis from season four onwards.
Speaking ahead of the shakedown and what will be an intensive testing programme for the new car and engine, Tony Teixeira, Chairman of A1GP, said:
'Everyone is very excited about this project and it will be fantastic to see the new A1GP powered by Ferrari car turn a wheel for the first time on Friday. We obviously still have a lot of work to do as this is just the first step in what will be an intense development and testing programme, but I am very happy with the progress made so far. We have a small, dedicated group of people in Bognor Regis and are very lucky to be able to use some well known motor racing companies for certain areas of expertise. I am pleased to say we are on schedule and we will be announcing the date of the official unveiling of the car soon.'
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