Photo: David Merrett from Daventry, England · CC BY 2.0
Raced1954–1956
EngineV8
Units built6
The Lancia D50 was designed in 1954 by Vittorio Jano as a Formula 1 car and introduced many innovations: the engine served as a stressed member of the chassis and was offset slightly to the side to allow a lower overall height, while the fuel tanks were housed in side panniers for better weight distribution and aerodynamics. On its debut, Alberto Ascari set pole position and fastest race lap before the clutch failed. Following Ascari's death, Scuderia Lancia's assets went to Ferrari, which removed many of Jano's innovations. With the car continued as the "Lancia-Ferrari D50", Juan Manuel Fangio won the World Drivers' Championship in 1956.
Summarized from the sources cited below; every figure in the text was automatically verified against the sources.
Good to know
- Of the six D50s built, two reside in Italian museums.
- On its debut, Ascari set pole position and fastest race lap, but the clutch failed after just ten laps.
- The tanks mounted on the sides in pontoons were tested in the Politecnico di Torino wind tunnel using a 1:10 scale model.
- Living on as the "Ferrari 801" in 1957, the D50s were largely outmatched against the Maserati 250F.
Learn moreDesign and construction · Tanks in panniers · From Lancia to Ferrari
Design and construction
The D50 featured a 2.5-liter V8 with a 90-degree bank angle that, according to the German source, delivered 260 PS (191 kW). The engine was a stressed member: the front suspension and bulkhead were attached to it. The offset propshaft allowed for a low cockpit. The 1954 regulations allowed 2500 cm³ for naturally aspirated engines, but only 750 cm³ for supercharged engines, and specified no weight limit.
Tanks in panniers
The standout feature was the fuel tanks in panniers outside the main fuselage. At the time, rear tanks were the norm, and axle loads and handling changed as fuel burned off. The lateral placement had a positive effect on aerodynamics, and handling stability with full tanks was exceptional. As the tanks emptied, stability deteriorated far less than in cars with rear tanks.
From Lancia to Ferrari
Following Ascari's death, the Lancia family sold its majority stake in the company due to mounting financial problems, and the assets of Scuderia Lancia passed to Scuderia Ferrari. Ferrari continued development of the car, but removed many of Jano's most innovative solutions. It was now named "Lancia-Ferrari D50", later simply "Ferrari D50". In 14 World Championship Grands Prix, it won five races; Fangio took the 1956 title in the Ferrari-modified version.
Summarized from the cited sources; every figure was automatically verified against the sources.
Frequently asked questions about the Lancia-Ferrari D50
When was the Lancia-Ferrari D50 raced?
The Lancia-Ferrari D50 was raced from 1954 to 1956.
How much power does the Lancia-Ferrari D50 have?
Power of the Lancia-Ferrari D50: nella primissima versione: 250-255 HP bei 8000-8200 /minuto ….
What engine does the Lancia-Ferrari D50 have?
Engine of the Lancia-Ferrari D50: 2488 cm³ 90° V8 naturally aspirated Lancia DS50. It is mounted at the front.
How many Lancia-Ferrari D50 were built?
6 units of the Lancia-Ferrari D50 were built.
Who engineered the Lancia-Ferrari D50?
Engineering of the Lancia-Ferrari D50: Vittorio Jano.
Who drove the Lancia-Ferrari D50?
Drivers of the Lancia-Ferrari D50: Alberto Ascari, Luigi Villoresi, Eugenio Castellotti, Juan Manuel Fangio, Luigi Musso, UK Peter Collins, Alfonso de Portago.
What are the predecessor and successor of the Lancia-Ferrari D50?
Predecessor: Ferrari 553. Successor: Ferrari 246 F1.
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