Meet the MTZ 50 Formula 1 Tractor.
Anything associated with Formula 1 undoubtedly has something to do with blistering speeds. In that spirit, Belarusian agricultural machinery manufacturer Minsk Tractor Works boldly named a tractor the MTZ 50 Formula 1. For the uninitiated, the term tractoris often used to ridicule slow F1 cars, but this one might live up to its name.
In a report by The Autopian, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko claimed in a video online that he drove the open-wheel MTZ 50 Formula 1 at 174 mph. That's not quite up to real Formula 1 speeds, which unofficially have reached 234.9 mph and officially 231.52 mph.
Biélorussie : MTZ a présenté un “tracteur Formule 1”, lors d'une exposition en Serbie, l'usine a assemblé un véhicule de course.
MTZ affirme qu'il ne s'agit que d'un prototype marketing. pic.twitter.com/jgC0jR1ZXn
— Rebecca Rambar (@RebeccaRambar) June 3, 2023
To see is to believe, but at least he got everyone's attention. Thanks to the dictator, we've been introduced to the F1 tractor in red with six massive tractor tires – yes, it's a dually. Completing the racing look are the decals including the racing number “1” on the hood.
The MTZ 50 F1 is based on Minsk Tractor Works' MTZ 30 tractor, stretched to mimic the shape of an F1 car. It also has side pods and massive front and rear wings to theoretically help the vehicle with downforce. We're no aerodynamicists, but those wings don't look like they'd be of much use at any speed.
The fun stopped when the company said that MTZ 50 Formula 1 was just a show car/tractor. But we would at least love to see the tractor displayed at one of Formula 1's European race weekends after it went viral lately. F1 still has 12 races left in the season, with the next being the Hungarian Grand Prix next weekend, where Daniel Ricciardo will make a triumphant return to a race seat.
While it's all fine and well to laugh at the MTZ 50 F1, don't forget that Lamborghini started as a tractor maker before becoming one of the world's most prolific supercar manufacturers. That heritage is still very evident today as Lamborghini still builds tractors. Its history has also been immortalized with the Centenario tractor, a celebration of Ferruccio's 100th birthday that costs more than a new Revuelto.
Keyword: Formula 1 Car Made From Tractor Parts Allegedly Has 174-MPH Top Speed