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Road Cars Associated With Formula 1
Formula One is many things. The most advanced motorsports race on the planet, the one with the fastest cars and the most expensive. The sports is also associated with fame, tradition and passion, which also inspires car makers to associate the F1 name to regular cars. Be it directly or indirectly and sometimes in the most vague manner.
Following is a list of cars, which have their name associated with Formula 1. While some are special edition models, meant only to sell the car, others are more truly involved, with incorporation of F1 tech. And even others were built to celebrate a special occasion.
Lets start with one of the greatest road cars of all times and definitely the best one that is related/connected to Formula 1. As far we know, McLaren F1 is the first ever road car that came closest to giving a driver the experience of driving an actual F1 car of the day.
Be it the single seater experience or the carbon fiber monocoque chassis. And then there is the top speed record of 391 km/h. This legendary car remained unbeaten for 12 years.
Mini and Formula 1? Well, it turns out back in 1959 John Cooper Formula 1 team won its first title. Mini John Cooper Works World Championship 50 special edition was built to celebrate its 50th anniversary. However, it was only a after 1959 that John Cooper became associated with Mini, becoming its official motorsports division. So you see, Mini has nothing to do with John Coopers winning an F1 title. Its all about marketing.
Nevertheless, the Connaught Green colour, the white racing stripes, the jet back wheels do make it look really cool. Hence, we give it a spot here.
Renault is known for bringing out special edition and sporty version of its Megane hot hatch regularly. However, the 230 F1 R26 was the only one that was brought out to celebrate its 2005 Constructors' and Drivers' Championship title wins. The R26 had a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine delivering 230 HP and did 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds. Beside the several performance enhancing sports car hardware, the special edition also sported Renault F1 decals, numbered plaque and one of the Renault F1 driver's signature on the passenger side sun visor. A very limited number was sold.
The R26.R came out in 2009, three years after the R26 and was a limited edition model. The R26.R is just an improved version of the R26, with better suspensions, brakes, new alloy wheels and tyres, carbon fiber bonnet and a lower weight.
This boring city car from Fiat is the last thing you would expect to be associated with F1. But do not forget that it is made by Fiat. The company that owns Ferrari, which was once driven by star driver Michael Schumacher.
The 1.1-litre four-cylinder, 55 HP Fiat Seicento ‘Michael Schumacher' special edition had nothing special except for ABS and Abarth styling kit. Fiat knew adding a limited edition plate and Schumacher's signature on the side skirts and boot lid was a sure shot way to sell even the dullest thing on road.
The Ferrari F355 started life in 1994 and was offered in Berlinetta and convertible form factors, for a asking price of £78,000 to £82,500.
Ferrari 355 F1 is what came in 1997. By paying an additional £6,000, customers could get this model which came with Formula 1 style electrohydraulic manual sequential gearbox (aka paddle shifters). The Ferrari 355 F1 was the first production Ferrari to get paddle shifters.
The only SUV to feature in this list, this special edition Infiniti FX has been tweaked with F1 inspired technology, Infiniti says. We won't bore you with the details, but this one is special not simply because it bears the three times world champion's name. This rather latge 414 HP machine can easily achieve a top speed of 299 km/h and is supposed to handle like a sports car.
Sebastian Vettel himself played a major part in the development of this vehicle and even received one as a gift recently on his 26th birthday.
Jaguar XKR Silverstone Edition was developed by its Special Vehicle Operations division to celebrate Jaguar's return to F1 in 2001. Production was limited to just 100 units.
Its 4.2-litre supercharged V8 produced 400 HP, 30 more than regular and could achieve 0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds. Several other enhancements were made, including to the chassis, making it the best in its class. The Silverstone also sported huge 20 inch wheels and Brembo brakes.
We have left for the last what we think is the best car associated with Formula 1. True, its not strictly a road car, infact, it will probably never be made. But, with the Twizy F1, Renault showcased its fun side. Who would not want to see what happens when you add F1 tech to a tiny two seater city car. It is for this craziness that we feature the Twizy F1.
Regular parts are replaced with carbon fiber. There are huge front and rear wings and spoilers. Formula 1 slick tyres. Lastly, Kinetic Energy Recovery System. You can also read more about it here. There is also a video in the followign slide for your enjoyment.
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