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Fondmetal GR02

Fondmetal GR02
Category Formula One
Constructor Fondmetal
Designer(s) Sergio Rinland (technical)
Hans Fouche (aerodynamics)
Predecessor Fondmetal GR01
Technical specifications
Chassis carbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (front) KONI dampers with pushrods
Suspension (rear) KONI dampers with pushrods
Axle track 1,800 mm (70.9 in)/1,680 mm (66.1 in) front/rear
Wheelbase 2,875 mm (113.2 in)
Engine Ford HB 3,498 cc (213.5 cu in) V8, naturally aspirated
Transmission Xtrac 6-speed
Fuel Agip
Tyres Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants Fondmetal
Notable drivers 14. Switzerland Andrea Chiesa
14. Belgium Eric van de Poele
15. Italy Gabriele Tarquini
Debut 1992 Canadian Grand Prix
Entries Races Wins Poles F.Laps
7 7 0 0 0

The Fondmetal GR02 was a Formula One racing car designed by Sergio Rinland and his Astauto studio for the 1992 Formula One season. Built to replace the Fondmetal GR01, as Fondmetal's team boss Gabriele Rumi had never been impressed by that car or its predecessor, the Fomet-1, the GR02 used the same 3.5-litre Ford HB V8 engine as its predecessor. Gabriele Tarquini gave the GR02 its début at the 1992 Canadian Grand Prix, whilst team mate Andrea Chiesa first drove it in the following 1992 French Grand Prix. Although the GR02 showed promise, and drew praise from the media, Fondmetal's financial difficulties meant that they withdrew from Formula One after the 1992 Belgian Grand Prix.

Unconvinced by the performance of the Fondmetal Fomet-1 during the 1991 Formula One season, Fondmetal's boss Gabriele Rumi ended his association with that car's designers. After initially negotiating with Tom Walkinshaw Racing, Rumi eventually gave the contract to Sergio Rinland's Astauto studio; Rinland had previously worked on the Brabham BT60, and the GR02 project was Astauto's first. However, this change came too late for a new car to be ready for the start of the 1992 Formula One season, and the Fomet-1 was duly updated into the GR01. Both the GR01 and GR02, however, were to ditch the old Cosworth DFR V8 engine found in the Fomet-1, and replace it with a Ford HB V8 instead, resulting in a useful power increase of over 100 hp (101 PS; 75 kW). Development on the GR02 began at the start of 1992, and the first prototype ran at Ferrari's Fiorano test track in May 1992. The GR02 had simpler mechanical components than the BT60 had, with a Xtrac gearbox and twin shock absorbers both front and rear. The aerodynamics, however, were less conventional; it featured a chiselled nosecone, and an anhedral front wing assembly, with the latter being designed to channel air around the floor and diffuser. The GR02 was first ready to race at the 1992 Canadian Grand Prix, and soon drew praise from the press; Autosport stated that the car was "a huge step forward for a team which was once the joke of the F1 paddock", whilst BBC's commentator Murray Walker stated that it was an "Excellent car, very good looking car, good performance but still a lot of development to do." However, the car was insufficiently tested, and, although it showed good pace, it was plagued by reliability issues. After Fondmetal folded, it was rumoured that the GR02 had been redeveloped for Forti Corse into their FG01 effort in 1995.


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