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Retired Formula One race cars have been repurposed and are now available to purchase in Australia. But, it will cost you a pretty penny.
Want to live the F1 dream? Bedfordshire-based company, TDF, has given new life to some retired modern-era Formula One chassis by developing their own customer-driven machine.
The ultimate track-day toys don’t come cheap, as these strictly limited race cars are available for purchase for a whopping £1.25 million pounds ($AU2.3 million dollars).
Known as the TDF/One, the exclusive offering boasts a genuine Formula One chassis which competed in a World Championship race less than a decade ago.
The unique proposition has been purposely built to create a more useable and simplified concept that can be enjoyed by certain enthusiasts, specialist car collectors and thrill seekers.
The concept is born with either a 2011 Marussia or 2012 Sauber chassis, and while the original suspension and aerodynamics remain, various elements are rebuilt, including the engine and gearbox.
The TDF/One packs a 1.8-litre, four-cylinder turbo engine, replacing the bona fide naturally aspirated 2.4-litre turbocharged V8.
“We looked a quite a few options, what we were trying to do was have something that was easy to use. If you start looking at different architectures and different engines, most of them won’t fit under such a small bodywork. And, [we wanted] something that would make the horsepower and do it reliably,” said TDF’s Chief Technical Director, James Densley.
The engine is mated to a six-speed paddle shift gearbox and is capable of 450-600 horsepower, or up to 447kW. The car can perform a top speed of approximately 290km, but the claimed figure varies, depending on gear ratios.
Fitted with bespoke OZ Racing wheels, which are wrapped in Pirelli tyres, owners receive two sets with the option of extras. Three compounds are on offer (soft, medium, and hard) along with wets. What’s more, the tyres have been designed to run from cold without warming blankets.
An active drag reduction system (DRS) remains, but will automatically close with any steering or braking input to improve stability, while handling is set up to the owner’s preferences.
In order to provide local service and trackside support, TDF has partnered with Zagame Automotive Group.
TDF Director, Adam Wright explains, “Because of the way this car has been designed, you’ll only need one or two technicians.”
“In terms of simplifying concepts, preparation for the track will pretty much take pretty much a five-minute engine crank, pre-warm, driver jumps in the car and off they go, essentially eliminating issues of time and infrastructure, and having to pay a team three hours of prep even before you hit the track.”
Owners can customise various components of their race car, including its livery, helmet, pit board and race suit.
The offering is ultra-exclusive and therefore, production is limited. Buyers can expect a build time of around six to nine months, depending on the specification.
The TDF/One will be on display during this week’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix, with the first drive taking place at The Bend at the start of April. You can follow the car’s testing and progress via the owner’s @ferraricollectoraus Instagram account:
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