Gordini

Gordini was a French Formula 1 racing, sports car producer and tuner.

The life of an engine tuner

Amédée Gordini, who was born on 23 June 1899 in the vicinity of Bologna ( Italy), completed in his youth training as a car mechanic. With 14 years he worked for Isotta - Fraschini engine manufacturer, where he worked with Alfieri Maserati. Developed with 19 years and he built Isotta - Fraschini already made ​​parts his first car. 1925 specialized Gordini, meanwhile emigrated to France, in his workshop in Suresnes on maintenance and tuning of Fiat automobiles. During this period he acquired his nickname " The Witcher " as he gave a wide variety of engines unexpected additional services with its capabilities. From the mid- 1930s, the collaboration with the newly formed company Simca that built from 1934 Fiat models for the French market under the license and distribution. With financial support from Simca Simca and based on technology Gordini built a series of sports cars for competition inserts whose sporting achievements could be used for promotional purposes. Accordingly, these vehicles were referred to as Simca - Gordini. After the Second World War Gordini began with the construction of complete race cars, as a result he attended from 1952 to 1956 in the Formula 1 World Championship. He subsequently received from Renault commissioned to develop based on the Dauphine a rally car. Renault Gordini was divided in 1969 the company joined the company. During this time, the Renault 8 Gordini and Renault 12 Gordini developed. Amédée Gordini addition worked for motorsport activities of Renault in senior positions. 1975 Renault changed the " Usine Amédée Gordini " in Viry -Châtillon officially in the Renault Sport department has to offer. On 25 May 1979 Amédée Gordini died.

The first single-seater

1946, immediately before the move in new plant on the outskirts of Paris, Gordini brought out a first single-seater, which was powered by a 1100 cc Simca engine. In the following years, the mechanics of this type continuously further developed and enlarged engine capacity of the aggregate gradually to 1430 cc. Despite the engine capacity deficit of over 500 cc, the lightweight and agile Simca - Gordini established with their small face quickly as the undisputed second force in Formula 2 behind Ferrari. However, this time there was tension between the first and Simca Gordini, but because Gordini wanted to develop an entirely corresponding to the Formula 2 regulations 2 -liter engine, Simca no suitable unit had as a basis for the program. Alternatively, a supercharged by a compressor version of the engine was the 1950 season is now available, bringing the otherwise unchanged cars corresponded to the regulations of the formula 1.

The Formula 1 era Gordini

The drivers, however, was the Gordini as easy abzustimmendes and moving vehicle, which, however, due to frequent tire and brake defects usually better placement was denied. Nevertheless, we have already achieved a first moderate success with Robert Manzons fourth place at the Grand Prix of Reims.

But although it has been developed with the Type 16 for 1951, a completely new real Formula 1 engine of 1496 cc capacity, was to bring not a single point more throughout the season in the battle of the giants between Alfa Romeo and Ferrari, which Simca took the opportunity to withdraw from the cooperation with Gordini.

On the one hand Gordini was no longer bound to the Simca range, on the other hand he was suffering from now and in the development of engines and vehicles always at the limited financial resources. However, regular driver Manzon could put the new 6- cylinder engine in the course of the 1952 season, some highlights: a third place at the Belgian Grand Prix after Alberto Ascari and Giuseppe Farina, a fourth place in the GP of France and a fifth-place finish at the Grand Prix of Holland, which he finished in sixth place in the world Cup final settlement with nine points. For the actual star of the team but was the up and coming talent Jean Behra, who scored in his first World Championship race in Switzerland with third place a first podium finish for the brand. In addition, Behra could still win the World Cup not to be counted Formula 2 race in Aix -les- Bains and Reims - Gueux. And Maurice Trintignant could score points in the championship standings with a fifth place in the GP of France.

The World Cup season in 1953, which as has already been held in the previous year after the Formula 2 regulations, was for Gordini by auspicious beginnings back at a year of catastrophes: When opening Grand Prix of Buenos Aires Robert Manzon was despite poor performances in training and the tenth starting position after a few failures, and thanks to good race tactics suddenly for a long time in the lead and was able to settle surprisingly even from the field. After a tire change led ten laps before the end of the race again Alberto Ascari. Manzon went boldly to the persecution of the Italian, was almost within striking distance, when he lost a few kilometers before the finish line a wheel of his cars and had to retire. Three more times during this year Manzon should have to give up due to tire defects in a promising position.

Withdrawal from Formula 1

Given that disappointment was surprised no one in the racing industry that the recent star drivers the team turned their backs and so now failed to self respecting successes. Although Manzon returned back again later - but without tangible successes. After a total of 35 driven Grand Prix and a fastest lap Gordini withdrew from the Formula 1 circus, as his financial means no competition allowed on an equal footing with the big factory teams to henceforth successful in building and tuning of rally and sports car to work for Renault and Simca.

Survival at Renault

When the Gordini company was disbanded in 1968, had to be booked several rally victories in the local World Cup on the credit side. Many younger mechanics and engineers Gordini should form in the late 1970s, the foundation of that developer team that built the Renault turbo engine and thus established a new era of Formula 1.

Some sporty Renault models wore the nickname Gordini, such as the R8 Gordini, the R12 Gordini or the special edition Clio RS Gordini of.

Models used and drivers in the automotive world championship

Cars

Gordini produced from 1946 some vehicles street legal. These were convertible to Simca basis.

In addition, individual Gran Turismo models were developed in the 1950s to 1957 on the basis of race and race cars.

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