Automobili Turismo e Sport

Automobili Turismo e Sport (commonly known as ATS) was an Italian automotive manufacturer and Formula One constructor that briefly competed in the sport in the early 1960s. Founded in 1962 by former Ferrari engineers and managers, ATS aimed to directly challenge Ferrari both on the road and the racetrack. The project was ambitious but short-lived, with its Formula One involvement lasting just a single season in 1963.

Background and Founding[]

ATS was established in Bologna in 1962 by a group of former Ferrari staff who had left the company following a major internal dispute with Enzo Ferrari, in what became known as the "Ferrari walkout". Key figures included Carlo Chiti, Ferrari's former chief engineer, and Giotto Bizzarrini, along with team manager Romolo Tavoni. With substantial financial backing from Italian industrialists, notably Count Giovanni Volpi di Misurata, the group sought to create a new marque that would rival Ferrari in both road car production and Grand Prix racing.

Formula One Involvement (1963)[]

ATS entered Formula One in 1963 with the ATS Tipo 100, a car designed by Carlo Chiti. It was powered by a 1.5-litre V8 engine, developed in-house. The team fielded two drivers: Phil Hill, the 1961 World Champion who had also left Ferrari, and Giancarlo Baghetti, another ex-Ferrari driver.

Despite high expectations, the team's F1 campaign was plagued by poor reliability, a lack of development, and underwhelming performance. The ATS Tipo 100 suffered from handling issues, mechanical failures, and a general lack of competitiveness. Across the 1963 season, ATS participated in five World Championship Grands Prix but failed to score a single point. Neither driver finished a race in the points, and most of their efforts ended in retirement.

Season	Entries	Starts	Points	Best Finish	Constructors' Championship
1963	10	10	0	11th (Hill, Germany)	Not Classified

Road Car Project[]

Alongside their Formula One aspirations, ATS also launched the ATS 2500 GT, a mid-engined sports car designed to compete with Ferrari's 250 series. The 2500 GT was advanced for its time, featuring a 2.5-litre V8 engine and a tubular space frame chassis. However, like the F1 car, the road car project suffered from poor build quality, low production numbers, and financial instability.

Only a handful of the 2500 GTs were ever produced before the company ceased operations.

Demise and Legacy[]

By the end of 1963, mounting financial losses and continued failure in Formula One led to the collapse of ATS. The company's assets were eventually sold off, and its personnel dispersed. Carlo Chiti went on to co-found Autodelta, which became the competition arm of Alfa Romeo, while others rejoined mainstream motorsport operations in Italy.

Though ATS was a commercial failure, it holds historical significance for its bold attempt to rival Ferrari, and for being one of the earliest examples of a mid-engined road car, predating many similar vehicles.

Revival[]

In the 2010s, the ATS name was briefly revived with new plans for sports car development, including the ATS GT—a modern supercar inspired by the original 2500 GT. However, this revival was not related to the original company's management and did not lead to sustained production or racing involvement.

Formula One Record[]

Team Names[]

Years	Name
1963	Automobili Turismo e Sport

Formula One Summary[]

As Works[]

Year	Chassis	Engine	Tyre	Drivers	Rounds	WCC Points	WCC Pos.	Report
1963	100	100 V8 1.5	D	Phil Hill	2–3, 7–9	0	NC	Report
1963	100	100 V8 1.5	D	Giancarlo Baghetti	2–3, 7–9	0	NC	Report

As Privateers[]

Year	Entrant	Chassis	Engine	Tyre	Drivers	Rounds
1964	Derrington-Francis Racing Team	D-F	100 V8 1.5	D	Mário de Araújo Cabral	8

As Engines[]

Year	Entrant	Chassis	Engine	Tyre	Drivers	Rounds	WCC Points	WCC Pos.
1967	Charles Vögele Racing	Cooper T77	V8 2.75	D	Silvio Moser	6	0	NC