Arrows A1

The Arrows A1 was the emergency vehicle of Arrows Grand Prix International at the Formula 1 season 1978.

Development history and technology

The Arrows A1 was a direct result of the circumstances that created the foundation of Arrows at the beginning of 1978. The end of 1977 had left their previous employer Shadow and founded with the financial support of the Italian Franco Ambrosio Arrows Jackie Oliver, Alan Rees, Dave Wass and Tony Southgate. Had taken Southgate also the complete plans of the Shadow DN9. With Arrows, therefore, an almost identical design car was built and successfully used at the beginning of the year in the Formula 1 World Championship with the FA1. However, the team led by Shadow sued Southgate and other managers injunction. Shadow got right and the technicians of Arrows had to build a new race car within 52 days.

Since it had been expected at Arrows already with a negative outcome of the trial, two chassis were finished was issued as the final verdict of a British court. United were the differences of the A1 to FA1, however. In contrast to the previous model had the A1, a wider track and a longer wheelbase. The interior rear suspension of the A1 was a distinguishing feature. The engines supplied with the DFL - Cosworth V8 engine.

Racing history

His racing debut in the A1 Grand Prix of Austria 1978. During Rolf Stommelen failed already in the pre-qualification, Riccardo Patrese qualified second A1 at the 15th position. In the turbulent race influenced by rain Patrese collided at the restart - the race had been in the fifth round after several accidents from and interrupted - with the Ensign N177 by Harald Ertl and retired. The next race in the Netherlands Partrese collided again at the start with another vehicle. This time with the Tyrrell - pilot Didier Pironi. Stommelen had failed again in the pre-qualification.

The third collision at the start of Patrese in a row - the Grand Prix of Italy - had fatal consequences. Patrese was subsequently identified as the author of a ground collision and suspended for one race. He was in the thick tumult after starting on the wrong side of the track and had to gentle braking of the chicane can pull inward. There he collided with James Hunt. Ronnie Peterson's Lotus was thrown after a contact with Hunt's car into the barriers, bounced back onto the track and burst into flames. In the subsequent mass collision several vehicles were involved. He succeeded James Hunt indeed to free Peterson from the burning Lotus 78, but the Swede died in a Milan hospital a few days later.

When the U.S. Grand Prix Stommelen first acquired by the A1 qualification and the race finished the race with five laps behind the winner Carlos Reutemann in the Ferrari 312T3 as Sixteenth. At the last race of the season, the Grand Prix of Canada, it was the fourth of Patrese 's first and only goal the arrival of the A1 in the points.

For the 1979 Formula 1 season new, modified in key areas chassis were built and used as A1B in the World Championship at Arrows. From the Grand Prix of France sat Arrows one to A2.

Aurora AFX Formula 1 series

In 1979, Rupert Keegan secured after five race wins on a A1 Rating Aurora AFX Formula 1 series.

Race Results in Formula 1

* Of the 11 achieved total this season points were obtained with the A1 three points. The remaining eight items were previously run in with the FA1.