The Arrows A1 was a Formula One racing car with which Arrows Grand Prix International competed in the 1978 and 1979 Formula One seasons. It was built as a replacement for the Arrows FA1, which was banned by the London High Court on 31 July 1978 after a legal protest from the Shadow team on the grounds that it was a carbon-copy of the Shadow DN9.
Background and Development
Arrows anticipated the court ruling against the FA1 and designed and built the A1 in under 60 days while the court case was being heard. The car was presented to the press just three days after the court case ended, allowing the team to compete without missing any Grands Prix. The A1 is considered the first true Formula One car designed and built entirely by Arrows Grand Prix International.
Design and Specifications
The Arrows A1 was one of the early "ground effects" Formula One cars. It featured an aluminium monocoque chassis, with wishbone suspension and inboard springs and dampers at both the front and rear. The wheelbase measured 2,690 mm (106 in), with a front track of 1,676 mm (66.0 in) and a rear track of 1,549 mm (61.0 in). The car weighed 593 kg (1,307 lb).
The A1 was powered by a Cosworth DFV engine — a 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in), 90° V8, naturally aspirated, mid-mounted unit — paired with a Hewland FGA (later FGB/C) 5-speed manual transmission. It ran on Goodyear tyres and used FINA/Valvoline fuel.
Variants
Three main specifications of the A1 were produced:
- Initial 1978 specification: Chassis A1-01, A1-02, and A1-03.
- A1-B specification (1979): Included a stiffened monocoque and revised ground-effects side-pods. Chassis A1-03 (updated), A1-04 (new spare monocoque), and A1-05 (new).
- A1-C specification (1979): Featured a new rear wing with a single central support, improved rear-suspension geometry, and totally redesigned ground-effects side-pods that swept up more towards the rear tyre. Chassis A1-05 (rebuilt) and A1-06.
A total of six Arrows A1 chassis were built (A1-01 through A1-06).
Racing History
Despite being rushed into service without testing or development, the Arrows A1 proved competitive. Riccardo Patrese finished 4th at the 1978 Canadian Grand Prix. In 1979, Jochen Mass ran as high as third at the Monaco Grand Prix (after qualifying eighth) before brake issues dropped him to sixth at the finish.
After the updated A1-C specification cars were introduced, three older-specification A1s (A1-02, A1-03, and A1-04) were sold to Charles Clowes Racing, which competed in the 1979 and 1980 Aurora AFX British Formula One Championships. Rupert Keegan won the 1979 championship in a Clowes-run Arrows A1, and Guy Edwards finished 3rd in the 1980 season.
Even after the team introduced the radical but unsuccessful Arrows A2, Riccardo Patrese sometimes chose to practice and race in the older Arrows A1, believing it to be a superior car with more predictable handling.
Key Specifications
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Constructor | Arrows Grand Prix International |
| Designers | Tony Southgate (Technical Director), Dave Wass (Chief Designer) |
| Chassis | Aluminium monocoque |
| Engine | Cosworth DFV, 2,993 cc V8, naturally aspirated |
| Transmission | Hewland 5-speed manual |
| Weight | 593 kg |
| Tyres | Goodyear |
| Debut | 1978 Austrian Grand Prix |
| Last event | 1979 Canadian Grand Prix |
| Entries | 25 (19 starts) |
| Wins | 0 |
| Constructors' Championships | 0 |
| Drivers' Championships | 0 |
Notable Drivers
- Riccardo Patrese (Italy)
- Rolf Stommelen (West Germany)
- Jochen Mass (West Germany)
- Rupert Keegan (United Kingdom)
