Alfa Romeo 183T


The Alfa Romeo 183T was a Formula One car designed by Gérard Ducarouge and Mario Tollentino and was used by Marlboro Team Alfa Romeo during the 1983 Formula One season. The car, with a newly designed flat bottom, made its debut at the 1983 Brazilian Grand Prix. Running on French Michelins, the 183T was driven in 1983 by Italians Andrea de Cesaris and Mauro Baldi.

Design and development

Unlike the preceding Alfa Romeo F1 cars, the 183T chassis was not designed by Alfa Romeo's Autodelta; instead Euroracing's chief engineer Gérard Ducarouge was the main designer. Euroracing had been earlier successful in Formula 3 with Alfa Romeo engines.
The 183T was basically an updated version of the teams car, the 182. Gone however was Alfa's 1260 V12 which had served the team since. In its place was the 890T, a 1.5-liter turbocharged V8 engine. The change in engine gave the 183T a significant boost in power. The 1260 V12 was rated at while the turbocharged 890T was rated at. However, this still fell short of the power figures quoted for the turbocharged BMW, Renault and Ferrari engines. During the year the 890T's fuel consumption wasn't a factor as stops for fuel were permitted. From however, when the FIA imposed a 220-liter fuel limit on the cars and banned stops for fuel, the V8 engine's fuel consumption, plus its shortage of power would see Alfa wane as a Formula One front runner.

Racing history

The 183T took 18 points from 29 entries; Andrea de Cesaris managed to score two second-place finishes and also gained one fastest lap at Spa Francorchamps, a race that he started from the 2nd row and led over half the distance.
The 183T was retired after the season and replaced for by the Alfa Romeo 184T.

Complete Formula One results

YearTeamEngineTyresDrivers123456789101112131415PointsWCC
Marlboro Team Alfa RomeoAlfa Romeo 890T
V8 tc		BRAUSWFRASMRMONBELDETCANGBRGERAUTNEDITAEURRSA186th
Marlboro Team Alfa RomeoAlfa Romeo 890T
V8 tc		Andrea de CesarisEXRet12RetRetRetRetRet82RetRetRet42186th
Marlboro Team Alfa RomeoAlfa Romeo 890T
V8 tc		Mauro BaldiRetRetRetRet6Ret12107RetRet5RetRetRet186th