Asiatech Formula 1 Engines
Founder: Hideo Morita
Nation: Japan
First GP: Australia 2001
Last GP: Japan 2002
Best Result: 5th
Best Grid Position: 13th
Championship History
Best Constructors: 9th (2002)
Best Driver: Mark Webber (16th, 2002)
| Year | Position |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 10th |
| 2002 | 9th |
| 2003 | Not Classified |
Overall Statistics
- 33 Grands Prix
- 6 no starts
- 3 seasons
- 5 drivers
- 3 championship points
- 2,826 laps raced
- 13,417 km raced
- 0.09 points per GP
Engine Specifications
Asiatech 001 (2001)
After Peugeot’s disastrous 2000 season with Prost, Asiatech acquired the French manufacturer’s entire engine department. Based on the problematic Peugeot A20 (which suffered from cylinder head and block cracking), Asiatech developed the 001 V10 for Arrows.
Configuration: 72° V10
Displacement: 2,998 cm³
Power: 800 hp
RPM: 17,500
Teams: Arrows
Asiatech AT02 (2002)
Following poor performance in 2001, Arrows abandoned Asiatech. The Japanese manufacturer then supplied Minardi with free engines, replacing their outdated Ford Cosworth units. Despite Mark Webber scoring 2 points in the season opener, Asiatech faced financial collapse.
Configuration: 72° V10
Displacement: 2,998 cm³
Power: 800 hp
RPM: 17,500
Teams: Minardi
Financial Collapse
Asiatech announced cessation of operations on November 5, 2002, just days after the season finale. The company entered liquidation in February 2003, ending their brief F1 involvement despite Minardi’s Melbourne points finish.
Notable Drivers
- Mark Webber (Australia) – Scored Asiatech’s only points at 2002 Australian GP
- Jos Verstappen (Netherlands) – Drove for Arrows in 2001
- Enrique Bernoldi (Brazil) – Arrows 2001
- Alex Yoong (Malaysia) – Minardi 2002
- Anthony Davidson (UK) – Minardi test driver
Technical Legacy
The Asiatech engines were essentially developed Peugeot units that never solved their fundamental reliability issues. The V10s were known for:
- Persistent cylinder head cracking
- Block integrity problems
- Fragile valve train components
- Inconsistent power delivery
Their brief F1 tenure demonstrated the challenges of entering engine supply without factory backing.
