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  Ferrari 641 F1      

  Article Image gallery (42) Chassis (3) Specifications  
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Country of origin:Italy
Produced in:1990
Numbers built:7 (115 - 121)
Internal name:641
Designed by:John Barnard / Steve Nichols
Predecessor:Ferrari 640 F1
Author:Wouter Melissen
Last updated:January 07, 2015
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Click here to download printer friendly versionBarnard left the team at the end of the year and he was replaced by Steve Nichols. Much of the work for 1990 was focused on making the quick machine reliable. With no major revisions, the 640 F1 evolved into the 641 F1. The most noticeable change was the adaption of a more conventional 'airbox' intake for the engine but that had already appeared halfway through the 1989 season. The personnel changes were more prolific as the team had managed to sign reigning World champion Alain Prost to drive the 641 F1 alongside Mansell.

However minimal, the changes did have the desired effect. Prost won the second race of the year and soon after scored three victories in a row. His closest rival for the title was his former team-mate Ayrton Senna. The Brazilian had a better start to the season and led the championship but Prost was still within striking distance after his fifth win of the year. Senna ended the 'tifosi's' hopes by punting Prost off the track during the start of the Japanese Grand Prix. Mansell also won a race, helping Ferrari to clinch second in the manufacturer's championship.

Evolution was again the key-word in the subsequent off season. The 'new' 642 F1 was again barely distinguishable from its predecessor. Disgruntled with his position within the team, Mansell had left and was replaced by the talented Jean Alesi. The two Frenchmen managed no better than a handful of seconds and thirds. Towards the end of the year a revised 643 F1 was field but this was barely an improvement. The drama was complete when Prost was fired before the final race after likening the handling of the 643 F1 to that of a truck.

Drastic measures were needed to get Ferrari back on track. The team's highly successful manager of the 1970s, Luca de Montezemolo returned to the helm of the team. The first brand new car in three years was developed but sadly it also failed to bring the desired results. The 640 F1 and its off-shoots will forever be remembered for launching the 'flappy-paddle' gearbox that has since been widely used on both racing and road cars. In 1990 the revolutionary system brought Ferrari achingly close to both titles.

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  Article Image gallery (42) Chassis (3) Specifications