Ilmor Engineering
Founders: Mario Illien & Paul Morgan (1948-2001)
Nation: United Kingdom
First GP: 1991 United States GP
Final GP: 1994 Canadian GP
Best Result: 4th (Karl Wendlinger, 1992 Monaco GP)
Best Grid Position: 7th (Andrea de Cesaris, 1992)
Championship Performance
1991 Season
Constructors’: 12th
Teams: Leyton House
0 points · Best finish: 10th
1992 Season
Constructors’: 6th (March-Ilmor)
Drivers’: De Cesaris 9th
12 points · 2 top-6 finishes
1993-1994
Non-classified in championship
Powered Tyrrell (1993) and Pacific (1994)
0 points · Reliability struggles
Technical Specifications
Ilmor LH10 (1991-1992)
Type: V10
Displacement: 3,498 cm³
Power: 680hp → 700hp
RPM: 13,000 → 13,300
Teams: Leyton House, March, Tyrrell
Best: De Cesaris’ 6th in 1992
Ilmor 2175A (1994)
Type: 72° V10
Displacement: 3,478 cm³
Power: 696hp @ 12,800rpm
Weight: 126 kg
Dimensions: 592.5 × 519 × 555 mm
Team: Pacific Grand Prix
Notable Drivers
Engineering Legacy
Precision Focus
Noted for exceptional build quality and tolerances
Independent Spirit
One of few private engine builders in early 90s
Technical Challenges
- Reliability: Suffered 33 DNS/DNF from 37 entries
- Power Deficit: 50-70hp less than factory engines
- Resources: Operated with fraction of manufacturer budgets
- Development Pace: Struggled to match works teams’ updates
Key Moments
Debut Season
First race at Phoenix with Leyton House
Ivan Capelli qualified 12th
Monaco Breakthrough
De Cesaris finished 4th in wet conditions
Wendlinger scored points in 5th
Final Race
Pacific’s Belmondo retired after 15 laps in Canada
End of Ilmor’s F1 constructor engine supply
Post-F1 Influence
Mercedes Partnership
Became Mercedes-Ilmor in 1993, evolved into works Mercedes program
IndyCar Dominance
Won 10 Indianapolis 500 races since 1994
“Our F1 engines were jewel-like in construction, but we simply couldn’t match the manufacturers’ development budgets.” – Mario Illien
Exit from Formula 1
Financial Constraints
Lacked manufacturer backing for development
Competitive Gap
Increasing power deficit to factory engines
Rule Changes
1994 regulations favored established manufacturers
Final Race: 1994 Canadian GP
Driver: Paul Belmondo
Car: Pacific PR01
Engine: Ilmor 2175A V10
Result: Retired (Electrics)
