Ensign N179

Ensign N179
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorTeam Ensign
Designer(s)John Baldwin (Technical Director)
Shahab Ahmed (Chief Designer)
PredecessorEnsign N177
SuccessorEnsign N180
Technical specifications
ChassisAluminium monocoque.
Wheelbase2,667 mm (105.0 in)
EngineFord-Cosworth DFV 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in) 90° V8, naturally aspirated, mid-mounted.
TransmissionHewland FGA 400 5-speed manual gearbox.
Weight578 kg (1,274 lb)
FuelValvoline
TyresGoodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsTeam Ensign
Notable driversRepublic of Ireland Derek Daly
France Patrick Gaillard
Switzerland Marc Surer
Debut1979 South African Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
11000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0
n.b. Unless otherwise stated, all data refer to
Formula One World Championship Grands Prix only.

The Ensign N179 was a Formula One racing car designed by Dave Baldwin, and used by Team Ensign during the 1979 Formula One season. It was designed by John Baldwin and Shahab Ahmed.[1][2]

Development

Team Ensign had not built an F1 car since 1977 and when 1978 ended, most teams were developing new cars with ground effect as Team Lotus won the 1978 championship with a ground effect car. John Baldwin and Shahab Ahmed were tasked to design the car and the N179 was equipped with a new system of front radiators, which theoretically should have cooled the engine and allowed underside downforce. However, because it could no longer cool down the engine the drivers suffered from excessive heat in the cockpit.

Racing history

Team Ensign had signed Irishman Derek Daly for 1979, but the team used the older Ensign N177 for the Argentine and Brazilian Grand Prix's. [3][4] The N179 made its debut at South Africa but Daly failed to qualify.[5] He qualified for the United States Grand Prix West but retired after an accident.[6] Ensign used the older N177 at Spain and Belgium, but Daly failed to qualify both times.[7][8] The N179 was used at the Monaco Grand Prix but Daly failed to qualify.[9] He was replaced by Frenchman Patrick Gaillard for France but Gaillard failed to qualify.[10] He qualified for the British Grand Prix and finished 13th.[11] Gaillard failed also to qualify for Germany.[12] He qualified for the Austrian Grand Prix, but retired from suspension failure,[13] and then failed to qualify for Holland.[14] He was replaced by Swiss driver Marc Surer for the final three races, the Italian, Canadian and United States Grand Prix's. Surer failed to qualify in Italy and Canada,[15][16] but qualified for the United States and retired with a blown engine.[17]

The N179 was replaced by the Ensign N180 for the 1980 season.

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key)(results in bold indicate pole position, results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrants Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Points WCC
1979 Team Ensign Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 G ARG BRA RSA USW ESP BEL MON FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA CAN USA 0 -
Derek Daly DNQ Ret DNQ
Patrick Gaillard DNQ 13 DNQ Ret DNQ
Marc Surer DNQ DNQ Ret

References

  1. ^ "Ensign Ford". Stats F1. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  2. ^ "Ensign N179". Jonathan Davies. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  3. ^ "1979 Argentine Grand Prix". Stats F1. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  4. ^ "1979 Brazilian Grand Prix". Stats F1. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  5. ^ "1979 South African Grand Prix". Stats F1. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  6. ^ "1979 United States Grand Prix West". Stats F1. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  7. ^ "1979 Spanish Grand Prix". Stats F1. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  8. ^ "1979 Belgian Grand Prix". Stats F1. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  9. ^ "1979 Monaco Grand Prix". Stats F1. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  10. ^ "1979 French Grand Prix". Stats F1. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  11. ^ "1979 British Grand Prix". Stats F1. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  12. ^ "1979 German Grand Prix". Stats F1. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  13. ^ "1979 Austrian Grand Prix". Stats F1. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  14. ^ "1979 Dutch Grand Prix". Stats F1. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  15. ^ "1979 Italian Grand Prix". Stats F1. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  16. ^ "1979 Canadian Grand Prix". Stats F1. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  17. ^ "1979 United States Grand Prix". Stats F1. Retrieved 20 March 2016.


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