Ferrari F189 early type driven by Gerhard Berger 1989
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The F189 is produced by Tamiya, as either the early season model or as the car raced from the Portuguese grand prix onwards. I modelled the car driven by Gerhard Berger in the earlier part of the season.
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The regulations for 1989 were drastically changed from the previous year, but designer John Barnard and his staff successfully developed the F189 type 640 and enabled Ferrari to win the first race of the year in Brazil. Nigel Mansell, who had moved from Williams, partnered Berger and came fourth in the drivers championship. Berger came seventh.
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The car used a semi automatic, 7 speed gearbox, operated from a paddle behind the steering wheel. There was still a conventional clutch pedal but it was only used for starting the car from a standing start.
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On a personal note, I can remember watching the race at San Marino that year and seeing Gerhard Berger spear into the barriers at the Tamburello corner. His car burst into flames as soon as he hit the barriers and such was the fear for his safety, the BBC did not replay the footage of the crash until they knew Berger was OK. The Austrian amazingly escaped with just a broken rib and minor burns.
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