Osella FA1B F1 car

Constructor:	Osella
Years:	1980 to 1981
Type:	Race car
Body:	Open F1
Engine:	Cosworth DFV V8
Chassis:	aluminum

The Osella FA1B was a Formula 1 racing car developed by the Italian Formula 1 team Osella Squadra Corse and used in the World Championships in 1980 and 1981 . This replaced the Osella FA1 . 

Returning to the designer Abarth company Osella Corse had developed in the 1970s, primarily racing cars for mountain and sports car racing and built. In the Formula 2 European Championship in 1979 , it came with its own chassis FA2 / 79, factory driver Eddie Cheever won three races and finished fourth in the European Championship. In search of sponsors for the following Formula 2 season team boss Enzo Osella turned to the Italian daughter of Unilever Group, which had no interest in Formula 2 because of the low media coverage, but Osella offered in September 1979, the support for the case that the team ascend to Formula 1. Osella agreed and built in three months the foundation for use in the Formula 1 World Championship in 1980, the first race took place already on 13 January 1980. The beginnings of the team were therefore largely improvised. With the first Formula 1 car of the team, the Osella FA1 reached Cheever not finish. Since the very heavy F1A could be modified only limited, the team management decided in April 1980 for the development of a completely new car. Its construction took over Enzo Osella and Giorgio Valentini , who had designed the short-lived Merzario A3 for Team Merzario a year earlier .

The FA1B corresponded in its fundamentals the predecessor model. The suspension has been slightly revised. As with the FA1, which consisted monocoque of the new vehicle consists essentially of aluminum . However, it was much narrower than the FA1. This allowed the areas of the side boxes to be widened, resulting in an improved effect of the ground effect.  Osella claimed that the FA1B have five percent more downforce than the developed FA1. 

The FA1B was also significantly lighter than its predecessor. In many cases, the weight of the FA1B is given as 600 kg. This would have exceeded the prescribed by the regulation minimum weight by only 5 kg. The drive further comprises a served Cosworth DFV eight-cylinder engine; the power was transmitted via a transmission from Hewland .In total, four FA1B vehicles were built. In 1980, initially a single car (FA1B / 1) was built, in 1981 Osella constructed three more copies (FA1B / 2, FA1B / 3 and FA1B / 4). The FA1B / 1 was only used in 1980. In 1981, the chassis FA1B / 3 and FA1B / 4 went to the start, for the FA1B / 2 are no racing noted.

The best race results were two eighth places Jariers at the Grand Prizes of Great Britain and Germany . At the Grand Prix of Italy appeared the successor model Osella FA1C , which was driven exclusively by Jarier until the end of the year. Gabbiani, the second driver of the team, continued to use the FA1B.

Technical specifications

• Chassis: aluminum
• Wheelbase: 2700 mm
• Engine: Ford Cosworth DFV V8
• Engine size: 2,993 cc
• Engine postion: Mid-engined
• Transmission: Hewland 5 speed
• Bore & Stroke: 85.7 mm / 64.8 mm
• Induction: Lucas Fuel Injection
• Mass: 600 kg
• Tire: Goodyear,Michelin
• Petrol: Agip
• Power: 485 bhp