The Ferrari 641, later designated F1-90, was an evolution of the 1989 640 for the 1990 season; following John Barnard's departure for Benetton, Steve Nichols oversaw development. The car gained cleaner lines and a revised semi-automatic gearbox, while its suspension was tailored to the smooth driving style of Alain Prost, who had arrived from McLaren. The weak spot was the 680 bhp V12, whereas the chassis handling ranked among the best in the field, with Prost calling the car the best of the season. In addition, the 641 was the first Formula 1 car with an effective traction control system, which debuted at the Portuguese Grand Prix in Estoril.
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Learn moreEngine and handling · Prost in the team · End of the season
Engine and handling
The V12 began as the Type 036 and was superseded from San Marino onward by the Type 037. At 680 bhp, it fell only slightly short of the 690 bhp produced by McLaren's Honda V10, but was less tractable and weaker when accelerating out of slow corners than the Honda, Williams's Renault V10, or Benetton's Ford-Cosworth V8. Despite the heavy engine, the 641 ranked among the finest handling cars on the grid. The wheelbase was slightly longer, the aerodynamics revised, and the wheels were suspended independently on double wishbones.
Prost in the team
Ferrari signed reigning World Champion Prost from McLaren to partner Nigel Mansell. Prost worked diligently on transmission reliability and operated behind the scenes to unite the team. Scoring five wins, including his charge from 13th on the grid in Mexico, he took the title fight directly to his rival Ayrton Senna.
End of the season
In Japan, the famous collision between Prost and Senna sealed the drivers' title for Senna and the constructors' crown for McLaren. Mansell finished fifth in the championship standings and won once; in his final race for Ferrari in Adelaide, he finished second and came close to beating Nelson Piquet in the Benetton-Ford. Ferrari would not mount another title challenge for seven years.
Summarized from the cited sources; every figure was automatically verified against the sources.
Frequently asked questions about the Ferrari 641
When was the Ferrari 641 raced?
The Ferrari 641 was raced in 1990.
How much power does the Ferrari 641 have?
Power of the Ferrari 641: 680 bhp at 12'750 /min.
What engine does the Ferrari 641 have?
Engine of the Ferrari 641: 3.5 l 65° V12 NA Ferrari Tipo 036. It sits behind the seats as a mid-engine.
Who engineered the Ferrari 641?
Engineering of the Ferrari 641: John Barnard (Technical Director) (initial design); Steve Nichols (Technical Director); Pierguido Castelli (Technical Coordination Director) ….
Who drove the Ferrari 641?
Drivers of the Ferrari 641: Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell.
How many races did the Ferrari 641 win?
The Ferrari 641 took 6 wins in 16 races.
What are the predecessor and successor of the Ferrari 641?
Predecessor: 640. Successor: 642.
