Footwork FA16

The Footwork FA16 was a Formula One car designed by Alan Jenkins with which the Footwork team competed in the 1995 Formula One season. The car was powered by a Hart V8 engine and ran on Goodyear tyres. It was driven initially by Gianni Morbidelli, who was in his second season with the team, and Taki Inoue, a Japanese pay-driver. Max Papis replaced Morbidelli in mid-season due to the team's financial problems.

Footwork FA16
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorFootwork
Designer(s)Alan Jenkins
PredecessorFA15
SuccessorFA17
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisCarbon fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Suspension (front)Double wishbones, pushrod
Suspension (rear)Double wishbones, pushrod
EngineHart 830, 2,996 cc (182.8 cu in), V8, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionArrows / Xtrac 6-speed semi-automatic
FuelSasol
TyresGoodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsFootwork Hart
Notable drivers9. Gianni Morbidelli
9. Max Papis
10. Taki Inoue
Debut1995 Brazilian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF.Laps
170100
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

Race history

The FA16 was a developed version of the FA15. It proved to be initially quite competitive, but the team lacked the budget to carry out testing and development. The chassis was not the weak link, but the Hart engine was down on power and unreliable.[2] Until the final race of the season, it seemed that Morbidelli's point in Canada would not be added to, but a high rate of attrition led to the Italian taking his first podium finish. This was a real morale-booster, especially after being replaced by the inexperienced Papis for seven Grands Prix.[3]

Papis was still generally quicker than Inoue, who is largely remembered mostly for his two incidents with official course cars more than his tardy driving. At Monaco, his car was being towed back to the pits after practice has ended, when it was struck by the official course car at a speed high enough to flip it over. Inoue was still in the car with no seat belt on, and was thrown out by the accident. He was still wearing his helmet, saving him from serious injury, and he took part in the race.

At the Hungaroring, Inoue himself was hit by the course car. His FA16 had suffered an engine failure, and Inoue's rush to get a fire extinguisher resulted in him straying into the path of the approaching car, which hit him hard enough to knock him over. Again, he was not seriously hurt.[4]

The team eventually finished eighth in the Constructors' Championship, with five points. Morbidelli's podium ensured that they were classified ahead of Tyrrell, who scored the same number of points.

The FA16 was replaced for the 1996 season by the Footwork FA17.

Taki Inoue's FA16 is towed back to the Monaco pits after its bizarre contretemps with the course car.
Inoue driving the FA16 at the 1995 British Grand Prix.

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Pts. WCC
1995 Footwork Hart Hart 830
V8		 G BRA ARG SMR ESP MON CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR EUR PAC JPN AUS 5 8th
Gianni Morbidelli Ret Ret 13 11 9 6 14 Ret Ret 3
Max Papis Ret DNS Ret Ret 7 DNS 12
Taki Inoue Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 9 Ret Ret Ret Ret 12 8 15 DNS Ret 12 Ret

References
  • Henry, Alan (ed.) (1995). AUTOCOURSE 1995-96. Hazleton Publishing. pp. 60–61. ISBN 1-874557-36-5.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  1. "Footwork FA16". StatsF1. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  2. "The 95's flop: Footwork Hart FA16". aminoapps.com. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  3. "Gianni Morbidelli". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  4. "Taki Inoue: The Worst F1 Driver Ever?". professionalmoron.com. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
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