Why is Lamborghini not in Formula 1?!

While Lamborghini has created some of the world's most influential cars, the Italian automaker hasn't dominated F1. Netflix's Drive to Survive has brought even more new viewers to the sport, but some car enthusiasts have noticed Lamborghini's absence from the grid.

Despite not competing in 2021 or 2022, the Italian carmaker has experience in the sport. Lamborghini raced a car called the Lambo 291 in the 1990s, says F1 Technical. Despite having a powerful V12 under the hood, its short career didn't go as planned.

Lamborghini doesn't have an official Formula 1 team. The Italian carmaker did enter the sport back in the early 1990s, though.  This was when the carmaker asked engineers Mauro Forghieri and Mario Tolentino to design a new car based on the L3512 naturally-aspirated V12 from the carmaker. Lambo 291 got a carbon-fiber chassis, just like all F1 cars back then. The car weighed around 1124 pounds. Power from the V12 went to the rear wheels only through a six-speed manual.

Interestingly, Lamborghini didn't want its name associated with the team, fearing potential damage to its brand image if the venture failed. That's why the team was named "Team Modena," a nod to its Italian roots and possibly a strategic branding choice. Despite this, the car itself was dubbed the Lambo 291 by Lamborghini.

The team's journey in Formula 1 was fraught with challenges. Despite initial surprising results, including a notable 7th place finish in the 1991 season opener, the team struggled to maintain its performance. At one race in Imola, they came close to securing a 5th place finish but dropped to 7th due to fuel pump issues on the final lap. Such setbacks were emblematic of the team's struggles throughout the season.

Ultimately, the team's difficulties extended beyond on-track performance. Lamborghini decided to drop the F1 engine program after the 1993 season due to the program's ongoing unreliability, lack of success, and negative press coverage. Additionally, Chrysler executives, disheartened by the team's failure to consistently qualify for races, made the decision to discontinue the program after just one season. Despite early promise, the Lamborghini F1 project was short-lived and failed to meet expectations.

The story of Lamborghini's brief foray into Formula 1 serves as a reminder of the challenges inherent in the sport. Despite high hopes and initial excitement, the realities of competition and the complexities of Formula 1 ultimately led to the demise of the Modena team. Though the Lambo 291 had its moments, including a notable 7th place finish, it was not enough to sustain the project. And so, Modena never returned to Formula 1, leaving behind a brief but intriguing chapter in the history of motorsport.

Lamborghini returning to Formula One is unlikely at best. It costs $200 million to just get in. The sum is split equally amongst the current teams.  You'd also have to budget for building a brand new car and powertrain from scratch. Lamborghini doesn't have a racing history like Ferrari, so it would be too expensive. 

Also, Lamborghini's Urus SUV is smashing sales records, so why mess with success?  If anything, since Lamborghini is owned by the Volkswagen group, there’s a better chance that Porsche or Audi gets involved in Formula 1.

You can read more on this topic with the following articles…

https://supersportiva.com/lamborghini-f1/

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/879542-formula-1-irrelevant-uninteresting-and-too-expensive

If you like these blog posts about motorsports, then join me on my Cradle of Supercars Travel Adventure Tour in Italy! On our tour, you'll drive a Ferrari or Lamborghini, visit exotic factories and museums like two Ferrari, two Lamborghini, Pagani, Ducati and, Imola racetrack, tour historic towns, and participate in Italian cooking and culinary experiences - all through the lens of fellow car enthusiast. We also have a day in Florence, Italy included, if you need to take a break from all the speed, brake dust and screeching tires!

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