The Osella FA1B began its development during the 1980 season, though the version raced in 1981 was almost entirely different. In April 1980, Enzo Osella tasked engineer Giorgio Valentini, formerly of Merzario, with designing a new car based on the principles of the previous FA1 by Giorgio Stirano. The goal was to overcome the earlier car’s aerodynamic flaws and excessive weight, which had severely limited its performance.
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| OSELLA FA1B, Beppe Gabbiani Imola, San Marino GP 1981 |
While Valentini worked on the new car, the old FA1 continued to race without success. During the 1980 Italian Grand Prix (held at Imola), Osella debuted the new FA1B. Featuring a significantly narrower and stiffer chassis (FA1-003), the car was more agile thanks to improved ground effect and a lighter structure, though it still visually resembled its predecessor. For the 1981 season, Valentini introduced a further refined version of the FA1-003, particularly in its external appearance.
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| OSELLA FA1B, Miguel-Angel Guerra Long Beach, USA West GP 1981 |
The new FA1B featured squarer and less bulky lines than the FA1, especially around the cockpit and sidepods, showing a more refined aerodynamic study. However, the chassis still followed a traditional design, with a steel tube frame covered by aluminum panels. The suspension setup was also old-fashioned, using rocker-arm configurations derived from Osella's sports prototypes for hill climb races. The engine remained the standard 480 hp Ford-Cosworth DFV V8, paired with a six-speed Hewland gearbox. The wheelbase was 2776 mm, and the weight dropped significantly from the previous FA1 to the minimum 580 kg required by regulations.
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| OSELLA FA1B, Giorgio Francia Jarama, Spanish GP 1981 |
Two rookies, Italian Beppe Gabbiani and Argentine Miguel Angel Guerra, were signed for the season. Despite the team's efforts, the car remained uncompetitive, and results were poor. At Imola, the fourth race, Guerra suffered a serious accident that ended his season early and cost the team sponsorship funding. Guerra was replaced first by Piercarlo Ghinzani, then Giorgio Francia, and finally, from the German Grand Prix onward, by Jean-Pierre Jarier.
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| OSELLA FA1B, Jean-Pierre Jarier Österreichring, Austrian GP 1981 |
The experienced Frenchman, along with the switch to Michelin radial tires and a new suspension adjustment system developed by Valentini, helped improve the FA1B’s performance. Jarier consistently qualified and finished races. At the Monza Grand Prix, the new FA1C debuted, with Jarier driving the final three races of the season, though without further improvement over the FA1B. Unsurprisingly, Osella ended the 1981 season second-to-last in the Constructors’ standings, ahead only of the debuting Toleman team.
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