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1952 Ferrari 500 F2 news, pictures, and information
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The supercharged 1.5-liter V12 engine was no match for the Alfas, so Enzo selected to use a normally aspirated engine which allowed a maximum displacement of 4.5-liters in Grand Prix competition.
It did well in the first Formula 1 World Championship in 1950. The following year, the true potential of the engine was realized, with Argentinean Froilan Gonzales securing the team's first F1 victory in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. For 1952, the World Drivers' Championship rules were switched to Formula 2 regulations. For Ferrari, this meant a completely new engine was needed. Though in all respects, they were in rather good condition. They had been active in F2 competition since 1948 and had the necessary experience and skill to create a potent competitor. They turned to Aurelio Lampredi to construct a new four-cylinder 2-liter engine.
The new engine was first tested during the summer of 1951. The Tipo 500 engine produced 165 horsepower and fitted in a tubular steel ladder frame with an independent front setup and a DeDion rear suspension. For 1952, the horsepower was increased to 180 which was enough to keep the 500 F2 at the front of the pack. Alberto Ascari secured six Grand Prix victories adn the World Championship. This was the first World Championship title for the prancing horse marque. The 1953 season would have similar results, with Ascari again winning the championship. When it was retired it had won 30 out of 33 races.
In modern times, the Tipo 500 F2 are among the more expensive vehicles on the market. The cost of ownership is very high. So, a number of replicas have been created, most conforming to similar specifications as the originals. This example had a body and chassis constructed in New Zealand by M. Paton. It is fitted with a 2-liter Alfa Romeo engine with similar horsepower out to the Ferrari.
In 2007 it was brought to the Bonhams Auction, An Important Sale of Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia, held at the Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club in Carmel, California. The car had an estimated value of $65,000-$75,000 but was not sold.
The Ferrari F2 was raced for a couple of seasons where it was pitted against competition such as the British HWM, Maserati, Gordinis, and Connaughts. During those grueling seasons, the Ferrari 500 F2 proved its potential by being raced on many weekends throughout the years and emerging victorious in many of the races. The Lampredi powered car carried Alberto Ascari to two world titles and brought fame to the name, Ferrari. The car was not just limited to the factory; many privateers purchased examples and expanded the fame of the 500.
Ingegnere Lampredi was of the strong opinion that the 2-liter car did not need to be powered by a twelve-cylinder unit, but rather a smaller and lighter unit could provide many benefits. He convinced Enzo that a four-cylinder unit would be more competitive and fuel efficient. It would become one of the few Ferrari cars to be powered by a four-cylinder unit. The four-cylinder engine would be used in Ferrari sports cars and single seat racers during the 1950s. The engine was mounted in the front of the 4500 F1 derived chassis and sent power to the rear wheels. A fuel tank sat behind the driver. A small windscreen protected the driver from the elements. The front suspension was fully independent while the rear was a de Dion layout.
In 1952 'organ-pipes' were added to the vehicle. Running along the middle sides of the vehicle was an exhaust pipe which could burn the drivers elbows if not careful. A heat shield was installed right where the elbows might have hit to help ease the potential for a burn.
At the Modena Grand Prix, held in September of 1951, two factory cars had been created and were entered into the race in the Formula Junior class. It was not immediately entered into the F2 class because the competition was pretty stiff at the time and Enzo wanted to win. Ascari drove the car to a victory after averaging nearly 120 km/h.
Ferrari's big break came at the end of the 1951 season. Alfa Romeo announced their retirement from racing and as a result, the sport of Formula 1 went into a bit of a decline. For the 1952 and 1953 season, the World Championship was run under the two-liter Formula 2 regulations which was meant to keep the sport competitive. Ferrari and their 375 had been poised to dominate the season but these regulations meant a new engine was required. The Lampredi four-cylinder unit was modified with four Weber DOE 45 single-barrel carburetors, modified camshaft, and a new fuel system. The bodywork was simplified and the brakes were enlarged.
The debut of the new racer was at Siracusa, a non-championship race, where the 500 F2 easily won the race. The following two races, at Pau and Marseilles, were also non-championship races which the car emerged victorious. During the 1952 season, Ascari drove the 500 to six of the seven Grand Prix victories. The seventh Grand Prix victory was won by Taruffi, Ascari's teammate. The team consisted of three works cars driven by Ascari, Taruffi, and Farina.
Throughout the seasons, the cars were given slight modifications. Ascari's car had two slots in the tail to provide additional cooling to the oil tank and transmission. Some of the cars were given deflector tabs over the front wheels. The works cars had a slightly more tapered nose and were void of the mesh radiator grille.
The cars first defeat came at Reims at the hands of Jean Behra while driving a six-cylinder Gordinin. Ascari and Villoresi had retired prematurely from the race due to their vehicles magnetos overheating. The cars magneto arrangement was reconfigured and ready for the next Grand Prix race. The new configuration proved successful and the cars finished in the top three positions. This trend would continue for many of the following Grand Prix races. The team was victorious at the German Grand Prix at Nurburgring, and the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. Ascari went on to be crowned the French National Championship and later, the World Championship.
For two seasons, 1952 and 1953, the 500 F2 dominated. In 1954 the World Championship was again run under F1 regulations with 2.5-liter formula rules. Ferrari responded by increasing the displacement size of their four-cylinder engines to accommodate the new rules, but they were unable to keep pace with the six-cylinder Maserati's and eight-cylinder Mercedes-Benz racers.
In total, six Ferrari 500 F2 racers were constructed.
Ingegnere Lampredi was of the strong opinion that the 2-liter car did not need to be powered by a twelve-cylinder unit, but rather a smaller and lighter unit could provide many benefits. He convinced Enzo that a four-cylinder unit would be more competitive and fuel efficient. It would become one of the few Ferrari cars to be powered by a four-cylinder unit. The four-cylinder engine would be used in Ferrari sports cars and single seat racers during the 1950s. The engine was mounted in the front of the 4500 F1 derived chassis and sent power to the rear wheels. A fuel tank sat behind the driver. A small windscreen protected the driver from the elements. The front suspension was fully independent while the rear was a de Dion layout.
In 1952 'organ-pipes' were added to the vehicle. Running along the middle sides of the vehicle was an exhaust pipe which could burn the drivers elbows if not careful. A heat shield was installed right where the elbows might have hit to help ease the potential for a burn.
At the Modena Grand Prix, held in September of 1951, two factory cars had been created and were entered into the race in the Formula Junior class. It was not immediately entered into the F2 class because the competition was pretty stiff at the time and Enzo wanted to win. Ascari drove the car to a victory after averaging nearly 120 km/h.
Ferrari's big break came at the end of the 1951 season. Alfa Romeo announced their retirement from racing and as a result, the sport of Formula 1 went into a bit of a decline. For the 1952 and 1953 season, the World Championship was run under the two-liter Formula 2 regulations which was meant to keep the sport competitive. Ferrari and their 375 had been poised to dominate the season but these regulations meant a new engine was required. The Lampredi four-cylinder unit was modified with four Weber DOE 45 single-barrel carburetors, modified camshaft, and a new fuel system. The bodywork was simplified and the brakes were enlarged.
The debut of the new racer was at Siracusa, a non-championship race, where the 500 F2 easily won the race. The following two races, at Pau and Marseilles, were also non-championship races which the car emerged victorious. During the 1952 season, Ascari drove the 500 to six of the seven Grand Prix victories. The seventh Grand Prix victory was won by Taruffi, Ascari's teammate. The team consisted of three works cars driven by Ascari, Taruffi, and Farina.
Throughout the seasons, the cars were given slight modifications. Ascari's car had two slots in the tail to provide additional cooling to the oil tank and transmission. Some of the cars were given deflector tabs over the front wheels. The works cars had a slightly more tapered nose and were void of the mesh radiator grille.
The cars first defeat came at Reims at the hands of Jean Behra while driving a six-cylinder Gordinin. Ascari and Villoresi had retired prematurely from the race due to their vehicles magnetos overheating. The cars magneto arrangement was reconfigured and ready for the next Grand Prix race. The new configuration proved successful and the cars finished in the top three positions. This trend would continue for many of the following Grand Prix races. The team was victorious at the German Grand Prix at Nurburgring, and the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. Ascari went on to be crowned the French National Championship and later, the World Championship.
For two seasons, 1952 and 1953, the 500 F2 dominated. In 1954 the World Championship was again run under F1 regulations with 2.5-liter formula rules. Ferrari responded by increasing the displacement size of their four-cylinder engines to accommodate the new rules, but they were unable to keep pace with the six-cylinder Maserati's and eight-cylinder Mercedes-Benz racers.
In total, six Ferrari 500 F2 racers were constructed.
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