Alfa Romeo 183T

The Alfa Romeo 183T was a Formula One car designed by Gérard Ducarouge and Mario Tollentino and was used by Marlboro Team Alfa Romeo during the 1983 Formula One season. The car, with a newly designed flat bottom, made its debut at the 1983 Brazilian Grand Prix. Running on French Michelins, the 183T was driven in 1983 by Italians Andrea de Cesaris and Mauro Baldi.

Alfa Romeo 183T

Alfa Romeo 183T at Goodwood in 1984-85 Benetton livery.
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorAlfa Romeo
Designer(s)Gérard Ducarouge
Mario Tollentino
Predecessor182B
Successor184T
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisCarbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)Coil, wishbone, rocker
Suspension (rear)Coil, wishbone, rocker
Wheelbase2,720 mm (107.1 in)
EngineAlfa Romeo 890T, 1,496 cc (91.3 cu in), 90° V8, turbo, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionAlfa Romeo / Hewland 5/6-speed Manual
Weight558 kg (1,230.2 lb)[2]
FuelAgip
TyresMichelin
Competition history
Notable entrantsMarlboro Team Alfa Romeo
Notable drivers22. Andrea de Cesaris
23. Mauro Baldi
Debut1983 Brazilian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF.Laps
15001
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

Design and development

Unlike the preceding Alfa Romeo F1 cars, the 183T chassis was not designed by Alfa Romeo's Autodelta; instead Euroracing's chief engineer Gérard Ducarouge was the main designer (Ducarouge was fired by Alfa less than a month into the 1983 season and was quickly signed by Lotus).[3] Euroracing had been earlier successful in Formula 3 with Alfa Romeo engines.

The 183T was basically an updated version of the teams 1982 car, the 182. Gone however was Alfa's 1260 V12 which had served the team since 1979. In its place was the 890T, a 1.5-liter turbocharged V8 engine (the 1260 engine was still used at the time by the Osella team).[4] The change in engine gave the 183T a significant boost in power. The 1260 V12 was rated at 540 bhp (400 kW) while the turbocharged 890T was rated at 640 bhp (480 kW). However, this still fell short of the 850 bhp (630 kW) power figures quoted for the turbocharged BMW, Renault and Ferrari engines. During the year the 890T's fuel consumption wasn't a factor as stops for fuel were permitted. From 1984 however, when the FIA imposed a 220-liter fuel limit on the cars and banned stops for fuel, the V8 engine's fuel consumption, plus its shortage of power would see Alfa wane as a Formula One front runner.

Racing history

The 183T took 18 points from 29 entries; Andrea de Cesaris managed to score two second-place finishes and also gained one fastest lap at Spa Francorchamps,[5] a race that he started from the 2nd row and led over half the distance.

The 183T was retired after the season and replaced for 1984 by the Alfa Romeo 184T.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Points WCC
1983 Marlboro Team Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo 890T
V8 tc		 M BRA USW FRA SMR MON BEL DET CAN GBR GER AUT NED ITA EUR RSA 18 6th
Andrea de Cesaris EX Ret 12 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 8 2 Ret Ret Ret 4 2
Mauro Baldi Ret Ret Ret Ret 6 Ret 12 10 7 Ret Ret 5 Ret Ret Ret

References
  1. "STATS F1 • Alfa Romeo 183T". Statsf1.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  2. "Alfa Romeo". gaffersports.com. Archived from the original on 2007-12-28. Retrieved 2008-01-09.
  3. "EuroBrun". f1rejects.com. Archived from the original on 29 April 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
  4. "CONSTRUCTORS: ALFA ROMEO". grandprix.com. Archived from the original on 29 April 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
  5. "Alfa Romeo 183T". gpracing.net192.com. Archived from the original on 2007-04-26. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
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