The COAT - Round One - Gordini Type 16 vs Jaguar R1 vs Williams FW11

[crmalcolm]

The eighth match in Round One and we have another 3-way. This time, it's the Gordini Type 16 vs the Jaguar R1 vs the Williams FW11.

Gordini Type 16 (primotipo.com):

For 1952 Amedee Gordini went it alone. He built a new ‘Type 20’ 1987cc ‘square’ (75 x75 mm bore/stroke) six cylinder, all alloy engine.
The light, new motor was fitted to a new T16 chassis- similar to that which had gone before with tubular longitudinal beams and cross members with independent suspension by torsion bars at the front and a rear live axle, the Type 16 gearbox was a four speeder.

The season started well with Behra’s third in the GP de Pau in April with Bira and Manzon sharing a T15 to second- and Johnny Claes third in the GP de Marseilles, the winner Ascari’s Ferrari 500. In a rousing day for the team in a strong year Behra famously won the GP de la Marne at Reims- another power circuit, on a very hot June day winning in front of the works Ferrari 500’s of Farina and Ascari with Bira fourth and Claes sixth in other Gordinis. Down the years there have been suggestions that Jean’s engine may have been ‘fat’- a proposition Dug Nye thinks on balance is incorrect.

At Rouen for the French GP Manzon and Trintignant were third and fourth behind a trio of Ferrari 500’s led by Ascari. Both French drivers were contracted to Ferrari that year but raced for Gordini when not required by the Scuderia.

1952 was an exceptional year for the not so little team which would be tough to follow. Doug Nye wrote that by the end of that year Amedee employed 50 people, his revenues comprising start, prize and bonus money without blanket sponsorship or Government support.

The 2.5 litre F1 commenced in 1954.

With the simple expedient of enlarging the engines size to 2473cc (80 x 82mm) Amedee had a solution he dubbed Type 23. Depending upon specification and and fuel between 198-228bhp was produced @ 6500rpm. Amedee had the T23 engine completed early enough to race it at Le Mans in 1953, the sports-racer finished fifth.

Whilst the T16 was the lightest of the 2.5 litre cars, the updated engine was low on power compared with most of the opposition, whilst the chassis- which retained a rigid rear axle was from the dark ages compared to the Mercedes W196 or even the de Dion brigade exemplified by the Maserati 250F, ‘the customer GP car of the era’.

Gordini had been developing the ambitious new T32 F1 car in 1954- it appeared in mid-1955, but the season commenced with the team still campaigning the good ‘ole T16- at championship level really ‘start money specials’ by this stage.

Jaguar R1 (formula1.com):
There’s something about green Formula 1 cars, and Jaguar’s R1 was their first in a line of contenders that were easy on the eye – but easy to overtake.

Formerly Stewart Grand Prix, Jaguar embraced Racing Green rather than tartan and white, with a metallic sheen making the car glow resplendently in the sun. The big cat roared above on the engine cover, not a single logo out of place on this exquisite piece of design.

The cat's roar was more of a meow, however, as Jaguar finished ninth that year with Eddie Irvine’s P4 at Monaco the highlight of their dire debut season.

Williams FW11/B (snaplap.net):
The Williams – Honda FW11 was the Formula 1 World Championship winning car in the season of 1986 and one of the best cars constructed by the British team.

Williams team made a solid base with FW10, a car that won four races in 1985, and the new car was made with an ambition to overthrow McLaren from the throne. The technical director Patrick Head and the chief designer Frank Dernie were at the helm of the team that created this very successful car, while Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet had the task to score as many victories as they can with this car.

The main advantage of the Williams FW11 was a mighty Honda 1.5 liter V6 turbo engine. Furthermore, the aerodynamics of Williams FW11 was a step forward in comparison to other rival teams. Undoubtedly, this car was one of the most memorable and most successful cars of the Formula 1’s turbo era.

The updated Williams FW11B was a car which ruled the Formula 1 World Championship in 1987 and won both Drivers’ and Constructors’ championship titles. After success with Williams FW11 in 1986, the team prepared a new car which actually was a modified and upgraded version of the previous model. Designed by Sir Patrick Head and Frank Dernie, Williams FW11B was superior to the most of the cars on the grid that year. The main advantage was a lighter, less complicated suspension which drew much less power from the Honda engine. That’s why it wasn’t surprising that this car won both titles in 1987. At the same time, it was the last year of Williams’ cooperation with Honda as the Japanese manufacturer left the team and joined with McLaren.

[S griffin]

Seriously? It’s the FW11. The car to have in 86-87.

[chillibowl]

loved the livery on that Jag and was so hopeful for them, but yeah has to be the Williams.

[Gerard C]

Gordini did wonders with an absurd budget but uncompromising determination. Mum says he was a good waltz dancer too… I take full responsibility for my biased vote!