| The coverted racing number 1 was back on a Ferrari single-seater for 1990, thanks to the arrival of French ace Alain Prost, who replaced Gerhard Berger. Courtesy of the new Ferrari F1-90, Prost soon found himself in the running for another World Championship crown - battling against his long time rival Ayrton Senna. |
| At season-end, this battle came to an abrupt end at Suzuka in Japan, when the McLaren and Ferrari touched just after race start, and both the brazilian and French driver crashed off the track - putting the Championship firmly in Senna's hands. |
| Of Prosts five victories for Ferrari in 1990, his French victory was particularly significant as it was also Ferrari's 100th Formula 1 win. Team mate Nigel Mansell also won the Portuguese Grand Prix. The car that helped the drivers achieve these results was the Tipo 641 (later renamed the F1-90), a development of the single seater designed by John Barnard who had been replaced by Argentiean Scaldroni. The general lines of the car remained largely unchanged apart from a few subtle modifications to the flanks. |
| However, pre-season the V12 engine's cooling and 'breathing' systems were improved, and it was mated to a new and more efficient transmission. A new shorter version of the racing engine also debuted at Imola and proved significantly more powerful. |
| Layout: | Mid-engined, rear-wheel drive, single seater F1 race car |
| Chassis: | Type 641, monocoque in carbon-fibre and Kevlar honeycomb |
| Front suspension: | Double elliptic section wishbones, push-rods |
| Rear suspension: | Double wishbones, push-rods |
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| Engine: | Type 036, water-cooled, 65° V12 |
| Materials: | Cast Iron cylinder block, light alloy cylinder heads |
| Capacity: | 3,497cc (3.5 litres) |
| Maximum power: | 680 bhp @ 12,750 rpm |
| Timing gear: | Double overhead camshafts per cylinder bank |
| Valves: | 5 valves per cylinder (3intake, 2 exhaust), total 60 |
| Transmission: | Longitudinal, semi automatic, 7-speed gearbox + reverse |
| Rear axle: | Limited-slip differential |
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| Overall length: | 4,460 mm |
| Width: | 2,130 mm |
| Height: | 1,000 mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2,855 mm |
| Track: | 1,800 mm (front), 1,675mm (rear) |
| Tyres: | 25.0-10.0-13 inch (front), 26.0-15.0-13 inch (rear) |
| Fuel tank: | 220 litres in 3 tanks (48.3 Imp gallons) |
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