F50: FORMULA 1 ON ROADS


In 1987, the Ferrari F40 made a splash all over the world. Then, eight years later, the Maranello manufacturer did it again with the Ferrari F50

history of origin

Unveiled at the 1995 Geneva International Motor Show to celebrate Ferrari's 50th anniversary, the successor to the Ferrari F40 was a couple of years ahead of the curve.

Commissioned by then Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo, the Ferrari F50 was to represent the absolute pinnacle of road car technology. The challenge was to transfer racing know-how to a limited edition supercar and, for only a small number of customers, to replicate (as far as possible) the full Formula 1 experience on the open road.
The Ferrari F50, designed by Pininfarina, was powered by an engine developed from the naturally injected 3.5-litre V12 that powered the F1-90 race car to six victories in the 1990 season: five of which were won by Alain Prost and one by Nigel Mansell . Of course, a significant amount of work was required to make this stunning 5-valve-per-cylinder engine suitable for a road car, where power and torque peaking at 12,750 rpm would be a liability.


Displacement was eventually increased to 4.7 liters, and although the power increase over the Ferrari F40 was small (just over 40 HP), the variable length intake manifold and variable exhaust system (with wastegate valves in 6-2-1 manifolds) made power and torque are more accessible right up to the 8,500 rpm redline.


The chassis, developed by Ferrari’s cutting-edge engineering department based at the Scaglietti coachbuilder in Modena, is yet another element taken directly from Formula 1 technology.


Unfortunately, Enzo Ferrari himself never saw or, more importantly, heard of a Ferrari F50, but the 1995 Geneva International Motor Show will forever be the place where Ferrari showed the world its engineering prowess through relentless innovation, meticulous design and racing performance.

FROM THE BLOG

Latest News