March 881

March 881
Category Formula One
Constructor March Engineering
Designer(s) Adrian Newey
Predecessor 871
Successor CG891
Technical specifications
Chassis Carbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (front) Double wishbones, pushrods
Suspension (rear) Double wishbones, pullrods
Axle track Front: 1,778 mm (70.0 in)
Rear: 1,676 mm (66.0 in)
Wheelbase 2,855 mm (112.4 in)
Engine Judd CV, 3,496 cc (213.3 cu in), 90° V8, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted,
Transmission March 6-speed manual
Weight 500 kg (1,100 lb)
Fuel Mobil
BP
Tyres Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants Leyton House March Racing Team
Notable drivers 15. Brazil Maurício Gugelmin
16. Italy Ivan Capelli
Debut 1988 Brazilian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF.Laps
18000
Constructors' Championships 0
Drivers' Championships 0

The March 881 was a Formula One racing car designed by Adrian Newey (his first ever F1 car)[1] and raced by March Racing Team in the 1988 season by Italian Ivan Capelli and the debuting Maurício Gugelmin from Brazil. The car's best result was a second place driven by Capelli at the 1988 Portuguese Grand Prix.

1988

The March 881 used the then new to Formula One Judd V8 engine, and was consistently the fastest speed trapped 'atmo' car of the 1988 season, with Capelli clocked at a class fastest 312 km/h (194 mph) on the first straight at Hockenheim for the German Grand Prix. Capelli and his March 881 was the only non-turbo car/driver combination in 1988 to actually lead a Grand Prix when he briefly took the lead from Alain Prost in his McLaren-Honda as they crossed the start-finish line on lap 16 of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. This was also the first time since the 1983 season that a naturally aspirated car had led a Formula One Grand Prix.

Capelli finished the season in 7th place with 17 points, while Gugelmin generally impressed most by finished his debut season in 13th place with 5 points. March finished the year 6th in the Constructors' Championship with 22 points.

1989

With the new March CG891 only being completed in time for the 1989 Monaco Grand Prix, the team were forced to use the 881 for the first two races (Brazil and San Marino) in 1989. Gugelmin finished a magnificent 3rd at his home Grand Prix in the old 881 in the opening race of the season, only 9.3 seconds behind the V12 Ferrari of winner Nigel Mansell, and only 1.5 seconds behind the Honda V10 powered McLaren of Alain Prost. However these would prove to be his and the team's only points of 1989 as the CG891 was off the pace and often unreliable.

Ivan Capelli driving the March 881 at the 1988 Canadian Grand Prix.

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Pts. WCC
1988 Leyton House
March Racing Team
Judd CV
V8
G BRA SMR MON MEX CAN DET FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR ESP JPN AUS 22 6th
Maurício Gugelmin Ret 15 Ret Ret Ret Ret 8 4 8 5 Ret 8 Ret 7 10 Ret
Ivan Capelli Ret Ret 10 16 5 DNS 9 Ret 5 Ret 3 5 2 Ret Ret 6
1989 Leyton House
March Racing Team
Judd CV
V8
G BRA SMR MON MEX USA CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR ESP JPN AUS 4* 12th
Maurício Gugelmin 3 Ret
Ivan Capelli Ret Ret

* All 4 points in 1989 scored using the March 881.

References

  1. Smith, Damien (February–March 2013). "Hand of the Creator". Road & Track. 64 (6): 64–69.


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