Gilles Villeneuve Collection, with driver figure. Model on red leather base, special packaging. Comes with premium acrylic cover.
The Comprex experiment
By the end of 1980 it had become clear that, despite all the tradition, success in Formula 1 was no longer possible with the Ferrari 12-cylinder. Eight points at the end of the season was a disaster for the Scuderia. The then 83-year-old Enzo Ferrari was not enthusiastic, but Mauro Forghieri knew that only a charged V6 engine would lead back to success. Therefore, parallel to the development of a V6 with two KKK turbochargers, he initiated the alternative concept of a supercharger developed by Swiss turbine manufacturer BBC Brown Boveri. In theory the so-called Comprex system was clearly the better solution.
The Swiss supercharger compressed the air for the intake tract without any delay. Compared to the poor response behaviour of the KKK turbochargers of the time, this promised a huge advantage, especially on narrow street circuits such as Long Beach, where the 1981 season opener took place. However, the technically highly interesting but also complex system of the 126 CX did not convince the drivers and both switched to the 126 CK with turbo engine after practice. Since the 1981 US GP the Comprex experiment has therefore remained a relatively unknown, albeit technically fascinating, footnote in Formula 1 history.