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Concept Cars and the Future

Ferrari have always been one of the world’s leading prestige manufacturers, with revolutionary and innovative ideas. For every success on the track came a wave of innovation to be applied to their production cars. The F1 gearbox is one of the most important technological transfers from racing car to grand tourer. It was first tested in the Type 639 prototype before use in the Grand Prix Ferrari F1-89 that won the first race of the

1989 season when Nigel Mansell scored an unexpected victory in Brazil. Steering wheel mounted controls allowed the driver to change gear without the use of a clutch pedal and the success of such a feat caused Ferrari to consider its application in road-going vehicles. In 1992, 100 examples of the Mondial T experienced the potential of automatic transmission with acceleration times reduced. Over the subsequent years the F1

gearbox has received numerous improvements, benefiting both racing and road-going models. Formula 1 traction control was first introduced to road-going cars with the 599 GTB Fiorano model in 2006. Known as F1-Trac, a dedicated team transferred the relevant technology for a production vehicle to enable improved acceleration out of corners, and refined control of drive wheel-spin. A composite chassis using

 BELOW: Winner Nigel Mansell in his Ferrari at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Rio de Janeiro, March 1989.

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