Forti FG03
The Forti FG03 was the car with which the Forti team competed in part of the 1996 Formula One season. It was designed by Chris Radage and Riccardo de Marco. It was driven by Luca Badoer and Andrea Montermini, both of whom were in their first year with the team.
 Forti FG03 (Luca Badoer), Canadian Grand Prix, 1996 | |||||||||
| Category | Formula One | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Forti Corse | ||||||||
| Designer(s) | George Ryton (Technical Director) Chris Radage (Chief Designer) Riccardo de Marco (Head of Design) | ||||||||
| Predecessor | FG01B | ||||||||
| Technical specifications[1] | |||||||||
| Chassis | Carbon fibre and honeycomb composite monocoque | ||||||||
| Suspension (front) | Unequal length wishbones, pushrod | ||||||||
| Suspension (rear) | As front | ||||||||
| Axle track | F: 1,680 mm (66 in) R: 1,600 mm (63 in) | ||||||||
| Wheelbase | 2,981 mm (117.4 in) | ||||||||
| Engine | Ford Zetec-R ECA 90-degree V8 mid-mounted | ||||||||
| Transmission | Hewland 6-speed sequential semi-automatic | ||||||||
| Weight | 595 kg (1,312 lb) | ||||||||
| Fuel | Elf | ||||||||
| Tyres | Goodyear | ||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||
| Notable entrants | Forti Grand Prix | ||||||||
| Notable drivers | 22.  Luca Badoer23. Andrea Montermini | ||||||||
| Debut | 1996 San Marino Grand Prix | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Constructors' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
| Drivers' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
The car was designed as a replacement for the slow, cumbersome "B" version of the FG01 that the team had used to limited effect in 1995 and at the beginning of 1996. Introduced at Imola, it was a major step forward in terms of downforce and sensitivity; however, it only finished once, at its debut race, and both drivers failed to make the 107% time for the Spanish and British Grands Prix. Ultimately, the FG03 was too little, too late, and Forti folded at the German GP.
The team came last in the Constructors' Championship, with no points.
A FG03 is currently used for F1 experiences in Northamptonshire.[2] The car also competed in the BOSS GP Series in 2016, 2018 and 2019.
Complete Formula One results
(key)
| Year | Team | Engine | Tyres | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Points | WCC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Forti | Ford Zetec R ECA V8 | G | AUS | BRA | ARG | EUR | SMR | MON | ESP | CAN | FRA | GBR | GER | HUN | BEL | ITA | POR | JPN | 0 | 11th | |
| Luca Badoer | 10 | Ret | DNQ | Ret | Ret | DNQ | DNP | |||||||||||||||
| Andrea Montermini | DNS | DNQ | Ret | Ret | DNQ | DNP |
References
- Henry, Alan, ed. (1996). AUTOCOURSE 1996-97. Hazleton Publishing. p. 92. ISBN 1-874557-91-8.
- "Forti FG03-96". statsf1.com. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
- "F1 RACING EXPERIENCE". firebox.com. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
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