Ferrari 340 F1

Builder	Ferrari
Class	Race Car
Category	Formula 1
Production	1950
Designed by	Aurelio Lampredi
Chassis	tubular spars and crosspieces
Motor	12 V-cylinder of 4101 cm³
Transmission	4-speed manual gearbox + non-synchronized RM mounted in block with the ZF differential; rear-wheel Drive
Length	3937 mm
Length	1428 mm
Height	960 mm
Weight	850kg
Fuel	Shell
Tyres	Pirelli

The Ferrari 340F1 was a Formula 1 racing car, built and used by the Scuderia Ferrari  in 1950.

History

The Ferrari 275F1 ,fitted with the new V-12 engine from Aurelio Lampredi was used in the 340F1 . Lampredi, who was an advocate of no-turbocharging engines, had developed this early 1950s. The variant in the 340F1 had 4.1 Liters of displacement 320 hp (235 kW). Unlike the 275 F1, which had an old- style chassis, a new chassis was designed for the 340F1 and 375F1 . The racing car had front double wishbones and transverse leaf springs and a rigid De Dion rear axle with a single transverse leaf spring.

Having completed the first phase of the development of the naturally aspirated V12 with a displacement of 3,300 cm³ mounted on the 275 F1 , Eng. Aurelio Lampredi moved on to the next stage which involved the creation of a 4,100 cm³ V12 by increasing the bore and stroke of the engine from 3,300 cm³. This engine was mounted on the 340 F1 single-seater, the logical evolution of the 275 F1.

The new engine now expressed a maximum power of 335 HP at 7,000 rpm and was mounted on a new chassis with side members and crossbars but with a wheelbase lengthened to 2,420 mm. The rear suspension was also new and adopted a De Dion scheme , already tested on the 125 F1 and on Formula 2 single-seaters , replacing the torsion bars. The gearbox was now in lock with the differential, a solution also tested on the 125 F1.

The performance offered by this car was further confirmation of the quality of the project so much so that, proceeding in forced stages, at the end of the year the definitive 4,500 cm³ V12 was already ready which would give life to the new 375 F1

The Ferrari 340 F1 is a car that took part in two races of the 1950 motor season not valid for the Formula 1 world championship . It represented the intermediate stage between the 275 F1 and the 375 F1 in the development of the new naturally aspirated V12 engine.

The 340F1 first made its debut in Geneva on June 30, 1950 at the Grand Prix of Nations . Its first ever World Cup run was the 340F1 at the 1950 Italian Grand Prix with Dorino Serafini at the wheel, finishing second in the race. At the same race, the 375F1, the sister model with the 4.4-liter version of the Lampredi engine, made its race debut. This car piloted Alberto Ascari, the 375F1 became in the season 1951 the common employment vehicle of the Scuderia in the world championship. The 340F1 was often preferred to the 375F1 in many non-championship races. Especially at road races and on city courses, it was better to rely on the 4.1-liter engine, since the unit in the 375F1 already had 380 hp. With the 340F1, some success could be achieved in 1951 at these races. Despite the withdrawal, the 340 F1 proved to be fast and able to keep up with the most famous rivals, thus making it clear that the future 375 F1 would certainly be able to compete for the world championship. The second and last appearance of the 340 F1 occurred at the Penya Rhin Grand Prix when the 375 F1 had already made its debut at the Italian Grand Prix a month and a half earlier. Driven by Piero Taruffi, it ranked third behind the 375 F1s of Ascari and Serafini.

Performance

• Speed : 300  km/h
• Power : 335 HP at 7,000 rpm