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8W is forix.autosport.com's motorsport history section and covers the drivers, cars, circuits, eras and technology that shaped the face, sounds and smells of motor racing.

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Ferrari at Indianapolis
Mutual love unanswered

Alberto Ascari, Ferrari 375, 1952 Indianapolis 500

The relationship between Ferrari and Indianapolis is a case of mutual love unanswered: it's the story of two of the greatest names in motor racing history circling around each other for decade after decade until they finally met - but not in the 500. Over the past months, our Indy expert Henri Greuter uncovered the reasons why the relationship never blossomed, now taking us to Ferrari's final aborted attempt at becoming a major force at Indy. After looking into Ferrari and its history of turbocharging, he gives us the full story on the 1986 Ferrari 637 Indycar that never raced, closing with Ferrari eventually coming to Indy to dominate in the 2000s, but in a whole different ballgame... In an appendix, he lists all the Ferrari cars that raced (or tried to race) at Indy.

 

Big, bigger, biggest!
The 'halo effect' in Grand Prix racing

There are lies, damned lies and statistics. Using statistics to prove who are the all-time best drivers will always be a flawed exercise. But what's the alternative? Willem Visser compares the merits of statistics and reputation, and argues that personal taste and psychological phenomena such as the 'halo effect' usually make the so-called reasoned approach just as flawed.

Michael Schumacher, Jordan 191, 1991 Belgian GP

 

Delahaye dominating the 1936 French racing season

Jacques Ambaud, Delahaye 135, 1936 Rally Monte Carlo

In 1936 Delahaye suddenly found itself entirely dominating the French racing season with its 135 model. Delahaye expert André Vaucourt tells the story of the French manufacturer's zenith in a year in which, ironically, the world's greatest race was cancelled...

 

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