Video: The Passion, Art and Desire of the Ferrari F1/87

Gerhard Berger and Michele Alboreto on the way to a 1-2 finish at Monza, 1988. Image thanks to the Cahier Archive.

After an unsuccessful ’86 Formula 1 season, Ferrari needed something that would put the fire back into their performance. The Ferrari F1/87 was their answer.

1987 brought with it a few big changes in Formula 1 regulations. The sport was preparing to drop turbos in 1989, so rules were put in place to make naturally aspirated engines more competitive. Regulations were also changed to slow the cars down, improving safety, and to bring the costs of competition at least somewhat in control.

Ferrari had Gustav Brunner on board to design the F1/87. He was joined by Technical Director John Barnard, who was brought in from McLaren where he’d helped the likes of Niki Lauda and Alain Prost pick up a few drivers’ titles with cars like the MP4/2.

The F1/87 would receive a brand new 1.5-litre turbocharged V6, the Tipo 033, that could put out over 880 horsepower even with its boost-restricting pop-off valve fitted. In qualifying that would go even higher, pushing the mid-900s.

And behind the wheel for both 1987 and ’88 would be teammates Michele Alboreto and Gerhard Berger.

This video takes a closer look at the Ferrari F1/87; its design, its successes and failures and its role in Ferrari’s near-unrivaled Formula 1 history. Hit play, and enjoy.