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Does anyone know whether the new car will test prior to Imola. Or is Imola going to be the shakedown and defacto test session.
Interestingly press reports are stating that the team think they have found a second a lap from the chassis.
60bhp from the engine is worth around 6/10s a lap. So thats 1.6s gain over the recalcitrant PS04B. At least on paper. Unfortunately these cars run on tarmac...
Comments
Minardi has no choice, they have only one reserve engine left for the old PS04B/M !
[Edited on 6/4/2005 by vuurmuur]
If the team can have the car ready one week earlier, we can actually have a full test.
It seems they will test if they get the car ready in time, if not then a shakedown, and treat the Imola weekend as a test.
As to the potential performance gain, if they can't make 2 to 3 seconds over a 80 second typical lap when replacing a 3 year old car with a brand new design, and swapping a 3 year old detuned engine with a new one, then they have no right to call themselves a proper F1 team. The figures I've seen on horsepower (I know you can't trust anything, but still...) have all quoted a 90 to 110 hp gain from the C3L to the TJ.
Give em til Monaco to get their act together. If by then they're not on the heels of Sauber and Red Bull, and making Jordan look embarassing, then is the time to start throwing rotten fruit at Tredozzi and the boys.
There's an interesting read in January's Race Tech magazine, talking about the growth of HP in modern F1. They published HP figures for the 2004 season based on the author's own estimates. It's a very good article, if you're into that sort of thing. Anyway, here's what they say (from article & graph):
2004 3.0 litre engines:
Honda V10: 930 HP
BMW V10: 910 HP
Toyota V10: 910 HP
Ferrari V10: 910 HP
Ilmor V10: 900 HP
Renault V10: 880 HP
Cosworth V10: 880 HP
Cosworth Customer V10: 830 HP
Now I've read in a couple places the new 2005 Cossie will be 25 - 50 HP higher than the previous. If this is true, the PS05 will be playing with 75 - 100 HP more than last year. Or something like 8% to 12%.
If there is no proper test prior to Imola, and no 3rd chassis available at Imola to put a test driver in, I think they would have to run all the miles they can on Friday, even if they have to change the engines and take the penalty. Any sort of gearbox glitch or electronics problems, and that's it, game over for the day.
The team made a bit of a hash of the new aero package debut at Imola last year - I hope they run this one better, for the sake of the gallant band of forzaminadi types who'll be there.
there will be not enough testing...
we cannot sacrifice all the reliability in search of more power. (Look at Honda!)
"I am really looking forward to the race in Imola because the new very aggressive looking Minardi car will be launched. Hopefully this car makes it possible to show the team, my fans and sponsors some impressive results. I feel very comfortable in F1 and cannot wait for the next race."
Source: Albers PR
And this - " In Bahrain I could pass 3 cars at the start. This is motivating. I am learning a lot and it is going better and better."
As well as this- "The Minardi team is the best place to start your F1 career. You can learn a lot and the team members are very friendly and professional. Paul is a fantastic motivator."
Go you good thing!!!!!!
lets offer them both a second year now, so we can finally have some consistency in our team. Thats what we need, (and a major sponsor) to move forward!
I love it when a plan comes together!
Check this : http://newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31048