Modena (racing team)
Encyclopedia
Modena Team SpA was a Formula One
team from Italy
that contested a single season in 1991
. The team had a rather muddy history, and are often referred to as the Lambo or Lamborghini
team because of its connections to the Italian automotive manufacturer.
The team first emerged as GLAS in early 1990. It was to be financed by wealthy Mexican businessman Fernando Gonzalez Luna, who was reported to be investing around $20 million in the team, and it was to be run by former Italian journalist Leopoldo Canettoli. The young team had approached Italian sportscar manufacturer Lamborghini
, to not only supply them with their latest V12
Formula One engines, but to also design and build the chassis
. Lamborghini had established a Formula One specific division in 1988, Lamborghini Engineering, to oversee their burgeoning Formula One programme and they entered the sport in 1989
as an engine supplier. 1991
would be the firm's first attempt at designing and building a Formula One car. Former Alfa Romeo and Spirit
driver Mauro Baldi
was proposed as a part-backer and driver for the team.
Lamborghini Engineering had tasked Mauro Forghieri
, with the assistance of Mario Tolentino, to design and build a Formula One car. By the summer of 1990 they had completed the process and had a rolling chassis ready for testing, only for Luna to disappear, taking all his money with him. This left a huge hole in the team's finances and effectively put its future in doubt. However, Lamborghini were determined to keep the project going as they already had the engines and now they had a Formula One car. So, the Italian firm injected a sum of money into the team to keep it running, they relocated it to Modena
in Italy
, which resulted in a subsequent name change taken from the team's new home, installed Italian industrialist and former Fila
boss Carlo Patrucco as Team Principal, and entered the 1991 Formula One season
. Lamborghini were reluctant to have the team viewed as a "works" team though, as this might reflect badly on the marque, so it was entered as Modena Team SpA. Most media sources and fans ignored this, referring to the team as Lambo or Lamborghini. However, it was noted that after an initial lump sum from Lamborghini, Modena Team were an entirely independent business entity and received no further investment or financial assistance from Lamborghini.
The whole name-change would cause great confusion throughout the season. It was essentially a full on Lamborghini Engineering team, as they had designed and built the chassis, the chassis carried the firm's name, it was powered by a Lamborghini engine, and yet they were adamant on having it named differently and went about registering it under a different name, resulting in the team known as Modena but the cars as Lambo 291's on the official entry list. "Modena" was also the surname of Stefano Modena
, a driver who would be contesting the 1991 season for Tyrrell
.
The Lambo 291 was a rather eye-catching and sleek looking chassis, with its distinctive blue colour scheme, triangular sidepods and slanting radiators. Slanting radiators would actually become a key Formula One design trend many years later, continuing to this day. Mauro Baldi was the first driver to test-drive the new car, testing it in late 1990. The team then hired former Minardi
man Jaime Manca Graziadei as Team Manager. Former Italian Formula 3 champion, Coloni
and Osella
driver Nicola Larini
, and 1990 International F3000 runner-up Eric van de Poele
were signed as the team's drivers. Mario Tolentino would be Larini's race engineer while former Formula One driver Dave Morgan was hired as van de Poele's engineer.
Both cars had to face pre-qualifying for the first half of the season and each driver only made it through into the race on one occasion - Larini eventually coming 7th at the opening United States Grand Prix
, and van de Poele running 5th at the San Marino Grand Prix
, and on course for 2 world championship points, before a problem with the fuel system brought him to a halt on the last lap, literally within sight of the flag, resulting in van de Poele being classified as 9th.
By mid-season the team were in dire financial straights, unable to secure any meaningful sponsorship and Lamborghini refusing to release any additional funds. Though the team were now clear of pre-qualifying when the process was reorganised, thanks to a count-back to Larini's 7th place at Phoenix, they were unable to make any progress. Larini got through to a further four races (spinning out of the German Grand Prix
, coming 16th at the Hungarian Grand Prix
and Italian Grand Prix
and colliding with Jean Alesi
at the Australian Grand Prix
). Foghieri had also left his post as Technical Director mid-season to refocus on his role with Lamborghini Engineering and oversee the design of an all new engine for the 1992 Formula One season
.
By season's end, Modena Team SpA had run up huge debts and with Lamborghini no longer providing financial aid, the team was at the end of the road. Foghieri returned to try and organise Modena as a viable independent entity from Lamborghini Engineering, or attempt a merger with the Larrousse
Formula One team or Reynard
's stillborn F1 project to save the team. However, neither proposal came to fruition. The questions about its future had not prevented the team from independently commissioning Sergio Rinland
to design a car for the 1992 Formula One season
, a project Rinland had already begun in October 1991. Rumours were that the team would either use Judd
V8 engines or continue the relationship with Lamborghini as engine suppliers. Ultimately, the team disappeared before the season under a mountain of debts, unable to find any form of viable investment or secure a deal to save it.
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
team from Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
that contested a single season in 1991
1991 Formula One season
The 1991 Formula One season was the 42nd season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1991 FIA Formula One World Championship, which commenced on March 10, 1991 and ended on November 3 after sixteen races...
. The team had a rather muddy history, and are often referred to as the Lambo or Lamborghini
Lamborghini
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., commonly referred to as Lamborghini , is an Italian car manufacturer. The company was founded by manufacturing magnate Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, with the objective of producing a refined grand touring car to compete with established offerings from marques like...
team because of its connections to the Italian automotive manufacturer.
The team first emerged as GLAS in early 1990. It was to be financed by wealthy Mexican businessman Fernando Gonzalez Luna, who was reported to be investing around $20 million in the team, and it was to be run by former Italian journalist Leopoldo Canettoli. The young team had approached Italian sportscar manufacturer Lamborghini
Lamborghini
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., commonly referred to as Lamborghini , is an Italian car manufacturer. The company was founded by manufacturing magnate Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, with the objective of producing a refined grand touring car to compete with established offerings from marques like...
, to not only supply them with their latest V12
V12 engine
A V12 engine is a V engine with 12 cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of six cylinders, usually but not always at a 60° angle to each other, with all 12 pistons driving a common crankshaft....
Formula One engines, but to also design and build the chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
. Lamborghini had established a Formula One specific division in 1988, Lamborghini Engineering, to oversee their burgeoning Formula One programme and they entered the sport in 1989
1989 Formula One season
The 1989 Formula One season was the 40th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1989 FIA Formula One World Championship, which commenced on March 26, 1989 and ended on November 5 after sixteen races...
as an engine supplier. 1991
1991 Formula One season
The 1991 Formula One season was the 42nd season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1991 FIA Formula One World Championship, which commenced on March 10, 1991 and ended on November 3 after sixteen races...
would be the firm's first attempt at designing and building a Formula One car. Former Alfa Romeo and Spirit
Spirit (racing team)
Spirit Racing was a racing car constructor and racing team from Britain, who participated in 25 World Championship Formula One Grands Prix between and .Founded in 1981 by Gordon Coppuck and John Wickham, Spirit had a close relationship with Honda...
driver Mauro Baldi
Mauro Baldi
Mauro Baldi is an Italian former Formula One driver who raced for the Arrows, Alfa Romeo and Spirit teams.He started his career in rallying in 1972 and turned to circuit racing in 1975 with the Italian Renault 5 Cup...
was proposed as a part-backer and driver for the team.
Lamborghini Engineering had tasked Mauro Forghieri
Mauro Forghieri
Mauro Forghieri is an Italian Formula One car designer.-Early life and Ferrari:Forghieri was born in Modena, the only child of Reclus and Afra Forghieri. His father, a turner, did war work during World War II for the Ansaldo mechanical workshops of Naples...
, with the assistance of Mario Tolentino, to design and build a Formula One car. By the summer of 1990 they had completed the process and had a rolling chassis ready for testing, only for Luna to disappear, taking all his money with him. This left a huge hole in the team's finances and effectively put its future in doubt. However, Lamborghini were determined to keep the project going as they already had the engines and now they had a Formula One car. So, the Italian firm injected a sum of money into the team to keep it running, they relocated it to Modena
Modena
Modena is a city and comune on the south side of the Po Valley, in the Province of Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy....
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, which resulted in a subsequent name change taken from the team's new home, installed Italian industrialist and former Fila
Fila (company)
Fila is one of the world's largest sportswear manufacturing companies. Founded in 1911 in Italy, Fila has been owned and operated from South Korea since a takeover in 2007. Headed by chairman and CEO Yoon-Soo Yoon, Fila now has offices in 11 countries worldwide....
boss Carlo Patrucco as Team Principal, and entered the 1991 Formula One season
1991 Formula One season
The 1991 Formula One season was the 42nd season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1991 FIA Formula One World Championship, which commenced on March 10, 1991 and ended on November 3 after sixteen races...
. Lamborghini were reluctant to have the team viewed as a "works" team though, as this might reflect badly on the marque, so it was entered as Modena Team SpA. Most media sources and fans ignored this, referring to the team as Lambo or Lamborghini. However, it was noted that after an initial lump sum from Lamborghini, Modena Team were an entirely independent business entity and received no further investment or financial assistance from Lamborghini.
The whole name-change would cause great confusion throughout the season. It was essentially a full on Lamborghini Engineering team, as they had designed and built the chassis, the chassis carried the firm's name, it was powered by a Lamborghini engine, and yet they were adamant on having it named differently and went about registering it under a different name, resulting in the team known as Modena but the cars as Lambo 291's on the official entry list. "Modena" was also the surname of Stefano Modena
Stefano Modena
Stefano Modena is a former racing driver from Italy. He participated in 81 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on November 15, 1987. He achieved 2 podiums, and scored a total of 17 championship points....
, a driver who would be contesting the 1991 season for Tyrrell
Tyrrell Racing
The Tyrrell Racing Organisation was an auto racing team and Formula One constructor founded by Ken Tyrrell which started racing in 1958 and started building its own cars in 1970. The team experienced its greatest success in the early 1970s, when it won three drivers' championships and one...
.
The Lambo 291 was a rather eye-catching and sleek looking chassis, with its distinctive blue colour scheme, triangular sidepods and slanting radiators. Slanting radiators would actually become a key Formula One design trend many years later, continuing to this day. Mauro Baldi was the first driver to test-drive the new car, testing it in late 1990. The team then hired former Minardi
Minardi
Minardi was an automobile racing team and constructor founded in 1979 by Giancarlo Minardi. It competed in the Formula One World Championship from 1985 until 2005 with little success, nevertheless acquiring a loyal following of fans...
man Jaime Manca Graziadei as Team Manager. Former Italian Formula 3 champion, Coloni
Enzo Coloni Racing Car Systems
Enzo Coloni Racing Car Systems, commonly referred to simply as Coloni, is an Italian motor racing team and former Formula One racing car constructor. While it has been successful in Formula Three and Formula 3000, the team was one of the least successful in Formula One history...
and Osella
Osella
Osella is an Italian racing car manufacturer and former Formula One team based in Volpiano near Turin, Italy. They participated in 132 Grands Prix between 1980 and 1990...
driver Nicola Larini
Nicola Larini
Nicola Larini is a racing driver from Italy. He participated in 75 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on September 6, 1987. He finished second in the tragic 1994 San Marino Grand Prix on a substitute outing for Ferrari, but only scored points once more in his career...
, and 1990 International F3000 runner-up Eric van de Poele
Eric van de Poele
Eric van de Poele is a Belgian racing driver and former Formula One driver. He participated in 29 Grands Prix, debuting on 10 March 1991. He scored no championship points....
were signed as the team's drivers. Mario Tolentino would be Larini's race engineer while former Formula One driver Dave Morgan was hired as van de Poele's engineer.
Both cars had to face pre-qualifying for the first half of the season and each driver only made it through into the race on one occasion - Larini eventually coming 7th at the opening United States Grand Prix
1991 United States Grand Prix
The 1991 United States Grand Prix was a Formula One race held on March 10, 1991 in Phoenix, Arizona.__FORCETOC__-Summary:Ayrton Senna's new McLaren-Honda had not turned a wheel prior to arriving in Phoenix for the start of the 1991 Formula One season, but when it did, no one could even stay close...
, and van de Poele running 5th at the San Marino Grand Prix
1991 San Marino Grand Prix
The 1991 San Marino Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Imola on 28 April 1991.- Background :Stefan Johansson was replaced at AGS by F1 debutant Fabrizio Barbazza...
, and on course for 2 world championship points, before a problem with the fuel system brought him to a halt on the last lap, literally within sight of the flag, resulting in van de Poele being classified as 9th.
By mid-season the team were in dire financial straights, unable to secure any meaningful sponsorship and Lamborghini refusing to release any additional funds. Though the team were now clear of pre-qualifying when the process was reorganised, thanks to a count-back to Larini's 7th place at Phoenix, they were unable to make any progress. Larini got through to a further four races (spinning out of the German Grand Prix
1991 German Grand Prix
The 1991 German Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Hockenheimring on July 28, 1991. It was the ninth round of the 1991 Formula One season.-Report:...
, coming 16th at the Hungarian Grand Prix
1991 Hungarian Grand Prix
The 1991 Hungarian Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Hungaroring on August 11, 1991. It was the tenth round of the 1991 Formula One season.- Report :...
and Italian Grand Prix
1991 Italian Grand Prix
The 1991 Italian Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Monza on September 8, 1991. It was the twelfth round of the 1991 Formula One season.- Report :...
and colliding with Jean Alesi
Jean Alesi
Jean Alesi is a French racing driver of Italian origin. His Formula One career included spells at Tyrrell, Benetton, Sauber, Prost, Jordan and most notably Ferrari where he proved very popular among the tifosi...
at the Australian Grand Prix
1991 Australian Grand Prix
The 1991 Australian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on November 3, 1991 at the Adelaide Street Circuit. It was the 16th and final race of the 1991 Formula One season. Torrential rain resulted in the race being stopped after 16 of the scheduled 81 laps had been completed. Confusion...
). Foghieri had also left his post as Technical Director mid-season to refocus on his role with Lamborghini Engineering and oversee the design of an all new engine for the 1992 Formula One season
1992 Formula One season
The 1992 Formula One season was the 43rd FIA Formula One World Championship season. It commenced on March 1, 1992, and ended on November 8 after sixteen races...
.
By season's end, Modena Team SpA had run up huge debts and with Lamborghini no longer providing financial aid, the team was at the end of the road. Foghieri returned to try and organise Modena as a viable independent entity from Lamborghini Engineering, or attempt a merger with the Larrousse
Larrousse
Larrousse Formula One was a motorsports racing team founded in 1987 by Didier Calmels and former racer Gérard Larrousse, originally under the name Larrousse & Calmels. It was based in Antony, in the southern suburbs of Paris. It was renamed Larrousse after the departure of Calmels for legal reasons...
Formula One team or Reynard
Reynard Motorsport
Reynard Motorsport was at one time the world's largest racing car manufacturer. Initially based at Bicester and latterly at Reynard Park, Brackley, England the company built successful cars in Formula Ford 1600, Formula Ford 2000, Formula Vauxhall Lotus, Formula Three, Formula 3000 and Indy...
's stillborn F1 project to save the team. However, neither proposal came to fruition. The questions about its future had not prevented the team from independently commissioning Sergio Rinland
Sergio Rinland
Sergio Rinland is an Argentine engineer best known for his work in Formula One. He is currently Owner and Managing Director of the Automotive Engineering and Management consulting company Astauto Ltd.- Career :...
to design a car for the 1992 Formula One season
1992 Formula One season
The 1992 Formula One season was the 43rd FIA Formula One World Championship season. It commenced on March 1, 1992, and ended on November 8 after sixteen races...
, a project Rinland had already begun in October 1991. Rumours were that the team would either use Judd
Judd (engine)
Judd is a name brand of engines produced by Engine Developments Ltd., a company founded in 1971 by John Judd and Jack Brabham in Rugby, Warwickshire, England...
V8 engines or continue the relationship with Lamborghini as engine suppliers. Ultimately, the team disappeared before the season under a mountain of debts, unable to find any form of viable investment or secure a deal to save it.
Complete Formula One results
(results in bold indicate pole position)| Year | Chassis | Engine | Tyres | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Points | WCC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 1991 Formula One season The 1991 Formula One season was the 42nd season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1991 FIA Formula One World Championship, which commenced on March 10, 1991 and ended on November 3 after sixteen races... |
Lambo 291 | Lamborghini L3512 Lamborghini V12 The Lamborghini V12 is a sixty degree V12 petrol engine designed by Lamborghini, and was the first internal combustion engine ever produced by the firm.... V12 V12 engine A V12 engine is a V engine with 12 cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of six cylinders, usually but not always at a 60° angle to each other, with all 12 pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
USA 1991 United States Grand Prix The 1991 United States Grand Prix was a Formula One race held on March 10, 1991 in Phoenix, Arizona.__FORCETOC__-Summary:Ayrton Senna's new McLaren-Honda had not turned a wheel prior to arriving in Phoenix for the start of the 1991 Formula One season, but when it did, no one could even stay close... |
BRA 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix The 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Interlagos on March 24, 1991.- Race summary :Ayrton Senna made a perfect start to lead from Nigel Mansell, Riccardo Patrese, Jean Alesi, Gerhard Berger and Alain Prost, building up a lead of some 3 seconds by lap 8. However Mansell was... |
SMR 1991 San Marino Grand Prix The 1991 San Marino Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Imola on 28 April 1991.- Background :Stefan Johansson was replaced at AGS by F1 debutant Fabrizio Barbazza... |
MON 1991 Monaco Grand Prix The 1991 Monaco Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Monaco on May 12, 1991.-Report:Ayrton Senna shocked no-one by taking pole position, but second place was a surprise with Stefano Modena taking full advantage of the superior Pirelli qualifying tyres to be second followed by Patrese, Piquet,... |
CAN 1991 Canadian Grand Prix The 1991 Canadian Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 2, 1991.- Report :There had been a lot of action in the back rooms of Formula One between the Monaco and Canadian Grands Prix, with the most notable change being that Cesare Fiorio had been fired as team... |
MEX 1991 Mexican Grand Prix The 1991 Mexican Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Mexico City on June 16, 1991. It was the sixth race of the 1991 Formula One season.-Report:... |
FRA 1991 French Grand Prix The 1991 French Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Magny-Cours on July 7, 1991. It was the seventh round of the 1991 Formula One season.-Report:The French Grand Prix had moved from its home in Paul Ricard to Magny-Cours to mixed reviews... |
GBR 1991 British Grand Prix The 1991 British Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Silverstone on 14 July 1991. It was the eighth round of the 1991 Formula One season.-Report:... |
GER 1991 German Grand Prix The 1991 German Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Hockenheimring on July 28, 1991. It was the ninth round of the 1991 Formula One season.-Report:... |
HUN 1991 Hungarian Grand Prix The 1991 Hungarian Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Hungaroring on August 11, 1991. It was the tenth round of the 1991 Formula One season.- Report :... |
BEL 1991 Belgian Grand Prix The 1991 Belgian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Spa-Francorchamps on August 25, 1991. It was the eleventh round of the 1991 Formula One season and the debut race of Michael Schumacher.- Pre-race :... |
ITA 1991 Italian Grand Prix The 1991 Italian Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Monza on September 8, 1991. It was the twelfth round of the 1991 Formula One season.- Report :... |
POR 1991 Portuguese Grand Prix The 1991 Portuguese Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at the Autódromo do Estoril on September 22, 1991. It was the thirteenth round of the 1991 Formula One season.- Report :... |
ESP 1991 Spanish Grand Prix The 1991 Spanish Grand Prix was a Formula One race held on September 29, 1991 at the Circuit de Catalunya. It was the fourteenth round of the 1991 Formula One season.- Report :... |
JPN 1991 Japanese Grand Prix The 1991 Japanese Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Suzuka on October 20, 1991. It was the fifteenth round of the 1991 Formula One season.- Report :... |
AUS 1991 Australian Grand Prix The 1991 Australian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on November 3, 1991 at the Adelaide Street Circuit. It was the 16th and final race of the 1991 Formula One season. Torrential rain resulted in the race being stopped after 16 of the scheduled 81 laps had been completed. Confusion... |
0 | NC | ||
| Nicola Larini Nicola Larini Nicola Larini is a racing driver from Italy. He participated in 75 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on September 6, 1987. He finished second in the tragic 1994 San Marino Grand Prix on a substitute outing for Ferrari, but only scored points once more in his career... |
7 | DNPQ | DNPQ | DNPQ | DNPQ | DNPQ | DNPQ | DNPQ | Ret | 16 | DNQ | 16 | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | Ret | ||||||
| Eric van de Poele Eric van de Poele Eric van de Poele is a Belgian racing driver and former Formula One driver. He participated in 29 Grands Prix, debuting on 10 March 1991. He scored no championship points.... |
DNPQ | DNPQ | 9 | DNPQ | DNPQ | DNPQ | DNPQ | DNPQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ |
External links
- http://www.f1rejects.com/teams/lambo/profile.html