The Ferrari 126CK marked a fundamental shift in Maranello's Formula 1 programme: it was Ferrari's first turbocharged Grand Prix car, introduced for the 1981 season. GP Replicas has rendered car No. 27 in the specific configuration Gilles Villeneuve used to win Round 7 of the 1981 World Championship at Jarama, one of the most analysed afternoons in the sport's history. The 1:18 resin model includes opening engine detail that exposes the Ferrari 021 1.5-litre twin-turbo V6 unit.
Ferrari's First Turbo: The 126CK in 1981
Designed by Mauro Forghieri, the 126CK combined a ground-effect chassis with Ferrari's 021 engine — a 1.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6. The 1981 regulations saw ground-effect skirts banned mid-season, yet the car remained competitive in the hands of Villeneuve (No. 27) and Didier Pironi (No. 28). Fiat and Agip were among the prominent sponsors carried on the classic Scuderia Ferrari red bodywork throughout the season.
Jarama, 21 June 1981: Defensive Driving as Art Form
Starting seventh on the grid, Villeneuve worked his way to the front and then held position against a train of faster cars in the closing laps. At the flag, Laffite, Watson, Reutemann and de Angelis were covered by 1.24 seconds — the winner's margin over second place alone was 0.22 seconds. The 126CK was widely considered less competitive than the Williams and Brabham machinery of that season, which made Villeneuve's ability to manage gaps, brake references and tyre condition over the final stint all the more precise. It remained Ferrari's and Villeneuve's only win of the 1981 campaign.
The GP Replicas 1:18 Scale Model
GP Replicas builds its Formula 1 replicas in resin using multi-part construction, allowing a level of surface and mechanical detail difficult to achieve in diecast at this scale. This release of the Ferrari 126CK No. 27 includes opening engine detail: the bodywork over the Ferrari 021 power unit can be opened or removed to reveal the twin-turbo V6 beneath — an appropriate feature given that engine's historical significance as Ferrari's first turbocharged F1 unit. The livery replicates the 1981 Spanish GP specification, with race number 27, Fiat and Agip branding, and the period white trim on Scuderia Ferrari red.
Frequently asked questions
Does the model have opening parts?
Yes. The model features opening engine detail — the bodywork over the Ferrari 021 twin-turbo V6 can be opened or removed to display the engine.
What made the 1981 Spanish Grand Prix so significant?
Villeneuve started seventh, led most of the race and held off four faster cars in the final laps. Laffite, Watson, Reutemann and de Angelis all finished within 1.24 seconds. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive drives in Formula 1 history.
Was the Ferrari 126CK a competitive car in 1981?
Not consistently. The Williams and Brabham cars were generally faster, and the 126CK's ground-effect advantage was reduced when skirts were banned mid-season. Jarama was Ferrari's and Villeneuve's sole victory of the 1981 season.
What material is the GP Replicas model made from?
It is a resin model, built using multi-part construction that allows fine surface and mechanical detail across the 1:18 scale.
