F1 and Porsche

[C M Smith <cmsmith@domain.elided>]

An engine does not necessarily make a F1 car.

The exception (and exceptional) was the  Ford Cosworth DFV which made 
winners of all manner of racing cars. The winningest engine in F1 history.

Ferrari of course makes winners for Ferrari. Mysteriously the same engine 
does not make winners from lesser cars.

The TAG/ Porsche engine was pretty fine, but it was the McLaren chassis 
that won all those races, on Michelin tires (the single most important 
factor IMHO). The Porsche engine was really nothing special in F1 terms. 
McLaren continued to win with the Honda they switched to. Renault blew the 
field away (har har, blew ......turbo ..... get it?) with their motor, but 
ironically had even more success with their later aspro V10 which 
essentially became the F1 standard, and essentially unbeatable in the 
Williams chassis right up to Renault's retirement. BMW and Hart didn't do 
so bad with their turbo 4.

Unfortunately, Alfa didn't do so well with their modern flat 12 which 
turned out to be heavy and short on development dollars. The very clever 
Murray designed fan car worked really well, once, then was banned.

Ah but the Alfetta 159 and the pre war Alfa racing engines, now they were 
sweet little power monsters. The combination of powerful, light engines 
with clever suspension in a  light car with talented drivers...will we ever 
see those days again?



Michael Smith
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
91 Alfa 164L, White, original owner

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