Footwork FA12

Footwork FA12
Footwork FA12C
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorFootwork Arrows
Designer(s)Alan Jenkins (Technical Director)
Dave Amey (Chief Designer)
PredecessorArrows A11C
SuccessorFA13
Technical specifications[1][2]
ChassisCarbon fibre and Kevlar monocoque
EngineFA12: 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
TransmissionHewland 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]
FuelShell
TyresGoodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsFootwork Grand Prix International
Notable drivers9. Italy Michele Alboreto
10. Italy Alex Caffi
10. Sweden Stefan Johansson
Debut1991 San Marino Grand Prix
Last event1991 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/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.

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)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine Tyres Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Pts. 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 0 NC
Michele Alboreto Ret Ret Ret
Alex Caffi DNQ DNQ
Stefan Johansson Ret DNQ
FA12C Ford DFR
V8
Michele Alboreto Ret Ret DNQ DNQ DNPQ DNQ 15 Ret DNQ 13 0 NC
Stefan Johansson DNQ DNQ
Alex Caffi DNPQ DNPQ DNQ DNPQ DNPQ DNPQ 10 15

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.