Autoblog

Click to view the Ferrari A1GP car in hi-res

What you see above is the first rendering released of the upcoming spec racer that Ferrari is designing for the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. If it looks familiar to racing fans, it should: the new car is based heavily on the Scuderia Ferrari F2004 grand prix car, which is a good place to start. The F2004 took the checkered flag at a dominant 15 out of 18 races in its epynumerous Formula One season, taking both the world championships (drivers and constructors), making it one of the most successful racing cars of all time.

We initially brought you news of the contract back in October '07, when at first it looked like Ferrari would "merely" supply the engines for the cars, later becoming evident that Ferrari was overseeing the entire design process as well, in conjunction with A1GP's own technicians. Instead of the V10 that powered the F2004, the new A1GP car will use a Ferrari-sourced V8 producing around 600 horsepower. The monoposto is scheduled to run its first laps this coming Friday, when we can expect A1GP to release some new images and data on the car that its teams campaign starting next season. Follow the jump for the press release.

[Source: A1GP]

If you want to buy a piece -- or five -- of Ferrari F1 history, then be ready on May 10. The FerrariStore.com is hawking five pieces from late vintage F1 challengers, all of them World Championship winning cars: the front wing and side plates from the F2004, an F2003-GA rear wing side plate and closed left side panel (sidepod?), F2001 gearbox gears, and a rear BBS wheel from the F1-2000 and a carrying case. Each item comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by Jean Todt. Once registered with FerrariStore.com, anyone can bid. While you're there, check out the genuine F1 engine for a cool €47,600. The auction starts at 3 p.m. Thursday (Italian time, we believe) and runs until Monday, May 21.

[Source: Ferrari]