Ferrari F399 F1 Car (1999)
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Constructor: | Scuderia Ferrari |
Years: | 1999 |
Class: | Race Car |
Designer: | Rory Byrne |
Chassis: | Honeycomb core sandwich monocoque made of CFK |
Engine: | Ferrari Tipo 048, V10 engine, 3.0 litres |
Mass: | 600 kg |
Tires: | Bridgestone |
Petrol: | Shell |
Suspension: | Double wishbones, pushrod |
The Ferrari F399 was a Formula 1 race car, for the 1999 Formula 1 World Championship.
History
The Ferrari F399 a construction by Rory Byrne was like the F300. It was not a redesign, but an improved F300 in many details. The car got a new front wing, a new exhaust system and a revised V10 80-degree 3.0 litre 790 BHP Mid-engine with rear-wheel-drive layout to an a 7-shift transmission and light Honeycomb core sandwich monocoque made of CFK The suspension systems were pushrod double wishbone suspension at the front and rear. In the winter Ferrari had changed the tire partners. Now the racing tires from Bridgestone were used.
The F399 was completely painted in red. After being advertised in the previous years on the side boxes for Asprey and Pioneer, the F399 1999 was the first time the logos of Tic Tac and FedEx. Marlboro and Shell continued to be the main sponsors.
Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine again represented the regular drivers of the Scuderia Ferrari. Luca Badoer was still a test and reserve driver. After Schumacher's accident at Silverstone, Mika Salo took over Schumacher's cockpit for 6 races. Originally, Salo was to finish the season for Schumacher, but Ferrari persuaded Schumacher to compete in the last two races of the season to support Eddie Irvine in the fight for the world title.
The season was marked by Michael Schumacher's heavy accident at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. After the broken leg of the German Mika Salo came as a substitute in the team. Nevertheless, the Scuderia had until the last race the chance of both world championship titles. Irvine travelled with 4 points ahead of Mika Häkkinen to the last round of the World Championship in Japan. Despite four victories in the season Eddie Irvine had to settle for second place in the drivers' championship behind Mika Häkkinen after the Japanese Grand Prix.
With the F399, the Scuderia but could win again for the first time since 1983 the constructors' trophy. In 2000, the F399 was replaced by the F1-2000, with which Schumacher drove the first driver world championship since 1979.
