In the 70-odd years since the first World Championship of Drivers in 1950, Ferrari has fought its way to the top to not only become the oldest surviving racing team, but also the most successful one. While due credit must be given to the expert skills of the drivers as well as the team managers, there is no denying that the racing cars are the ultimate stars of the show. While it may be very difficult to pinpoint what the overall best F1 Ferrari of all times is, there are three models that definitely deserve a mention.
The Ferrari 500 was a game-changer
The successes of the Ferrari 500 dates back nearly 70 years to 1952. It was during this year that it won every round of the Formula One World Championship (except for the Indy 500). This came shortly after Alfa retired its 160, which gave a new manufacturer the opportunity to dominate the circuit. After two seasons of astounding success, the Championship rules were changed, and the 500 retired with nothing less than a 100% championship record. Apart from paving the way for future Ferrari F1 cars, the 500 was also responsible for cultivating a love for racing cars in many automobile enthusiasts. Even today, there is an unseen magnetic force that draws people to the sleek design and power of a compact sporty vehicle.
The Ferrari F2002 was a tough act to follow
The F2002 might not have had the most power out of all the cars on the grid during the 2002 season, but it definitely was the one that handled the best. The car was powered by a 3-liter V10 engine, and featured a ground-breaking clutchless gearbox that allowed designer Rory Byrne to package the rear of the vehicle any way he deemed fit. The car won every race during the 2002 season, except for Monaco, and saw Schumacher and Barichello achieve an incredible nine one-two podium finishes. The F2002 was such an exceptional racing car that it even took Schumacher to win the San Marino Grand Prix in 2003.
The F2004’s legacy lives on
To this day the Ferrari F2004 is often regarded as the fastest F1 car that was ever constructed. The car, which was designed by Ross Brawn, Aldo Costa and Rory Byrne for the 2004 season, was also the car that won Ferrari a very impressive sixth consecutive Constructor’s Championship title. It also gave Michael Schumacher his 7th Driver’s Championship after he managed to win 12 of the first 13 races of the season. The F2004 was based on the speedy F2002, although the team worked to improve the newer model’s agility and downforce capabilities. Overall, the F2004 managed to rack in 272 championship points. Its legacy continues to live on in the multiple lap records that still stand strong to this day.
It is with good reason that Ferrari is considered to be the best racing team in the history of Formula One. Not only are the drivers among the most talented in the world, but the cars are also ground-breaking in countless ways.
Leave a Reply