Mid-1990s Electronics and Brake Systems

[Gotcha]

G'day everyone!

I'm making a sort of research of the different electronics and brake systems used by Formula One teams in the the mid-1990s. As we all know, nowadays these systems are pretty much delivered by a sole supplier, but it surely hasn't been that way in the past.

I'm interested in, let's say, the period of time between 1993 and 1997. So far I've found out:

Magneti Marelli provided electronic systems for at least Benetton, Ferrari, Sauber and Williams, while McLaren used TAG electronics.

At least Williams used brake discs and calipers by AP Racing. Ferrari had Brembo brake systems.

And that's pretty much all I've managed to find out. As you might think, that information's not just lying around on the Internet, so I was hoping someone here would have more first-hand (or even second-hand ) information that would help me out. Was there some standard supplier that provided these systems for most teams that I don't know about? Did the teams make these systems themselves back then? All information will be helpful and appreciated!


For clarification: By electronic systems I mean things like ignition and such. I'm not that interested in systems operating the gearbox, the steering wheel etc. By brake systems I simply mean brake calipers (if provided by another supplier than the discs).

[Jersey Tom]

Any particular reason you're focusing on the mid 90s?

I'd have to imagine that a variety of suppliers were used throughout the field, though I don't have detailed information on it. Wouldn't be surprised if Alcon and Performance Friction were in the mix as well as AP and Brembo.

[Giblet]

I seem to remember Bosch playing a role.

[Gotcha]

Any particular reason you're focusing on the mid 90s?

No particular reason. I'm very much into retro-F1 and am currently preparing a modification for a Formula One managing video game of the 1994 season. I have found plenty of interesting technical details on the cars on this site, but, as you can see, lots of information is still missing. So, for my project I'd like to know the providers of the systems mentioned before as specifically as possible. Perhaps we could at the same time expand the database, which currently is pretty stricted, of the older cars on F1Technical.

I'd have to imagine that a variety of suppliers were used throughout the field, though I don't have detailed information on it. Wouldn't be surprised if Alcon and Performance Friction were in the mix as well as AP and Brembo.

Well, thank you for that! I know Alcon nowadays provide brake discs and calipers, but did they back then?

I seem to remember Bosch playing a role.

That's interesting. Any possibility of recalling with which team? It'd be easy to think that Bosch systems would co-operate best with German engines, that's Mercedes, but I know Sauber had a contract with Magneti Marelli...

[Belatti]

Here a vintage page still on line from 1997
http://www.at-speed.co.uk/f1ct.htm

Up left all the 1997 cars technical files...

[Gotcha]

Here a vintage page still on line from 1997
http://www.at-speed.co.uk/f1ct.htm

Up left all the 1997 cars technical files...

Thank you very much, Belatti! I find that information extremely useful. Of course it's not ALL in there, but most cars have detailed descriptions of the systems I am interested in. Bravo! =D>

Don't get me wrong, though - my work isn't done yet. Ligier/Prost still remains a mystery. They used Renault engines until 1996, so perhaps they ran the engines with Magneti Marelli electronics like Williams did...? But what about the Mugen-Honda-era then?

I'm also interested in little teams, such as Simtek, Pacific, Larrousse and Forti. They mostly ran customer-spec Ford engines, but with which electronic systems? Any clue? I'm not even totally sure, how many electronics suppliers were there back then. I'm only familiar with Magneti Marelli and TAG. Did Cosworth have a electronic system of its own?