Simtek S941
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorSimtek
Designer(s)Nick Wirth (Technical Director)
Paul Crooks (Chief Designer)
SuccessorS951
Technical specifications
EngineFord HBD 6, 3497cc, 75-degree V8, naturally aspirated,
TransmissionSimtek Xtrac T, 6-speed, "Semi-shift"
Power700 hp @ 13,000 rpm[1]
FuelElf
TyresGoodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsMTV Simtek Ford
Notable drivers31. Australia David Brabham
32. Austria Roland Ratzenberger
32. France Jean-Marc Gounon
32. Italy Domenico Schiattarella
32. Japan Taki Inoue
32 + TD. Italy Andrea Montermini
Debut1994 Brazilian Grand Prix,
Autódromo José Carlos Pace.
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
160000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Simtek S941 is a Formula One car, designed by Nick Wirth and Paul Crooks for the Simtek team, and used during 1994 Formula One season. Although it was the first car to race under the Simtek name the company had previously designed an unbuilt car for BMW - the unbuilt design formed the basis of the Andrea Moda S921. Simtek also produced a design for Jean Mosnier's abortive Bravo S931 project which was to have launched in 1993. There is a strong family resemblance between the 1992 Andrea Moda and the 1994 Simtek.

Name and livery

Ratzenberger's car at the San Marino GP.

The S941 was driven by David Brabham for the whole season. Roland Ratzenberger was scheduled to drive the second car for the first five races, as he only had funding for the first part of the season, but his death at Imola the day before 3 time World Champion Ayrton Senna meant other drivers had to step in. Andrea Montermini was involved in a very serious accident at his very first race with the team in the Spanish Grand Prix practice session. This left the team in serious financial difficulties. For the remaining part of the year, three other drivers were in the second seat, including Jean-Marc Gounon, Domenico Schiattarella and Japanese pay driver Taki Inoue. Simtek's main sponsor was MTV. Other notable sponsors included Russell Athletic.

Engine

The engine was a naturally aspirated V8 Ford HBD 6. It was underpowered, but only suffered three failures all season, all in David Brabham's car.

1994 season

The team got the Simtek S941 home 12 times from 32 starts. They benefited from the slowness of the Simtek's back-of-the-grid rival Pacific PR01, which rarely qualified. The Simtek S941 did not score any points in its debut season; Jean-Marc Gounon marked the team's highest finish with ninth at the French Grand Prix, although he was four laps down on the leader.

Race results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Points WCC
1994 MTV Simtek Ford Ford HB V8 G BRA PAC SMR MON ESP CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR EUR JPN AUS 0 NC
David Brabham 12 Ret Ret Ret 10 14 Ret 15 Ret 11 Ret Ret Ret Ret 12 Ret
Roland Ratzenberger DNQ 11 DNS
Andrea Montermini DNQ
Jean-Marc Gounon 9 16 Ret Ret 11 Ret 15
Domenico Schiattarella 19 Ret
Taki Inoue Ret

References

  1. ↑ "Engine Ford Cosworth • STATS F1".
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