Porsche and Formula1

[autobonrun]

I've been doing some research into Porsche's racing history. From what I found, Porsche participated in F1 racing from 1957 until 1964. I know why they got out of other racing programs recently (financial) but does anyone know why they exited F1 in 1964?

Also from what I see, they only had one Pole Position and one win in those eight years. Any idea why they showed so poorly in F1? Note in 40 years of racing Ferrari has over 130 wins and 140 pole positions.

Historically, Porsche seems to have focused on endurance racing and done well. Any thoughts on what drove them to focus there rather than F1 when F1 seems to carry more of a world following than endurance racing (no slight on LeMans intended)?

I am a big F1 fan here in the US and would love to see a Porsche sponsored team participate.

[cegerer]

1962 was really the only year Porsche competed in Formula 1 with a car specifically designed for the purpose. Out of 7 GP's entered they took a 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 9th. They also won a non-points GP in 1962 and took 3rd in another. They tied Ferrari for 5th in the constructor's championship. Not bad for a tiny company. But Ferry P. could not see continuing to spend millions on cars that were far removed from his production models and cancelled the program.

PS: don't forget about Porsche's awesome TAG-Turbo motors that powered the championship winning McLarens in the 80's!!

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1971 911T - 2.5L Big Bore

[This message has been edited by cegerer (edited 06-13-2001).]

[autobonrun]

Originally posted by cegerer:
1962 was really the only year Porsche competed in Formula 1 with a car specifically designed for the purpose. Out of 7 GP's entered they took a 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 9th. They also won a non-points GP in 1962 and took 3rd in another. They tied Ferrari for 5th in the constructor's championship. Not bad for a tiny company. But Ferry P. could not see continuing to spend millions on cars that were far removed from his production models and cancelled the program.

PS: don't forget about Porsche's awesome TAG-Turbo motors that powered the championship winning McLarens in the 80's!!

Thanks for that info!

I had forgotten about the Tag turbo motors. Are you saying during the 60's, except for 1 year, that Porsche was competing with production modified cars while competitors were using cars specifically designed for F1?
Financially, was/is Ferrari that much larger than Porsche?

[howie944]

Enzo Ferrari's main purpose in building road cars was to support his racing F-1 ventures. Porsche theory was building sports cars and supporting their prowess by racing. Almost like the win on Sunday sell on Monday type thing. Ferrari's main concern was his racing stable. Or at least that's what the guys at the pool hall once told me!

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Howie
79SC

[Obin Robinson]

Originally posted by howie944:
Ferrari's main concern was his racing stable. Or at least that's what the guys at the pool hall once told me!

correct. since their last championship, Ferrari spent a billion dollars to win the F1 constructor's championship last year. their road cars tread a thin line between red and black ink. FIAT is actually the company that bankrolls Ferrari's efforts, because they've owned Ferrari since the 1960s.

take a close look at a Ferrari F1 car, since the 1960s it has had a FIAT badge somewhere on it

obin

[cegerer]

Porsche used modified RSK road cars initially in F2. Then they made an open-wheeler using the RSK mechanicals. Eventually, they did a proper F1 car for 1962. I think they had developed a car for 1963 but it wasn't raced.

[Early_S_Man]

The biggest problem for Porsche in F1 was the rule book changes ... they knew the existing pure racing engine designs could not be enlarged to 3.0 liters. The decision was made to concentrate on endurance racing where existing engines were still competitive, and all future engines were designed with production-based engines in mind. At the end of its development the flat-8 2.2 liter racing engine required 220 hours of assembly time. The later 908 3.0 liter engine based on the 901 engine only needed 40 hours to assemble!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa