Radical Minardi on the way.

Super Tourer · 5 Feb 2005, 18:47 (Ref:1218322)

According to www.autosport.com - Minardi's 2005 car will feature a radical aerodynamic approach.

The team has yet to run the car on the track, as it gears up to start the new season with its 2004 machine, but the design of the PS05 is understood to feature a vastly different nose area and a completely unique engine cover concept.

Although the exact design of the engine cover is not known, sources claim it may be sculpted in such a way to create extra surface area for downforce-inducing winglets. One team insider claimed that the solution is such that it leaves almost no room on the engine cover for visible sponsors' logos.

Paul Stoddart commented.

“Our preparations are going really well,” he said. “The new car is due to be ready in time to be racing at Imola and it will be a radical change. You haven't seen a Minardi that looks like this, I can tell you.

Logrence · 5 Feb 2005, 18:54 (Ref:1218329)

We haven't seen a Minardi that looks like this because they've used the same car since 1983.

The engine cover won't matter too much anyway - it's not like they have any sponsors.

bradrive · 5 Feb 2005, 19:02 (Ref:1218335)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logrence

We haven't seen a Minardi that looks like this because they've used the same car since 1983.

The engine cover won't matter too much anyway - it's not like they have any sponsors.

If you do a RADICAL aero you normaly create yourself BIG aero problems (see: Williams 2004). But you CREATE a lot of publicity, which is most likely, what they try to achieve. Anyway they don't have the money to do the aero-testing involved to do it properly.

Knowlesy · 5 Feb 2005, 20:05 (Ref:1218379)

A radical minardi sounds disastrous for a team with little money to back such a thing up. It could work to their advantage, but I fear they may just fall even further back and have an utterly disastrous season.

However, I look forward to seeing it. Any news on when it will break cover for the first time? It surely won't be present at the usual team launch in melbourne?

Marbot · 5 Feb 2005, 20:12 (Ref:1218382)

Anything different is good(so long as it works).

pitcrew · 5 Feb 2005, 20:21 (Ref:1218385)

im interesed to see pictures of this so called radical design, i will be supprised if it works!! good luck to them, its all publicity!

Marbot · 5 Feb 2005, 20:22 (Ref:1218387)

Hopefully Minardi will use their vast millions to jump ahead of Jordan at the very least

MikeHoyer · 5 Feb 2005, 20:36 (Ref:1218395)

Exclusive picture of the so-called Radical Minardi...

http://www.mdh-photography.co.uk/ima...al_minardi.jpg

Knowlesy · 5 Feb 2005, 20:40 (Ref:1218397)

Man that's dissapointing.

Someones gonna tell me that pictures fake I suppose....

Kicking-back · 5 Feb 2005, 20:43 (Ref:1218398)

Over the years Minardi have introduced many design tweaks which have been picked up by the big teams.

Adrian Newey and Patrick Head always make a point of looking at those Italian cars on the grid as well as the red ones.

The new Minardi will race from Imola.

Marbot · 5 Feb 2005, 21:14 (Ref:1218409)

It's obviously a picture of their concept car.

Nicholosophy · 5 Feb 2005, 21:44 (Ref:1218420)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradrive

If you do a RADICAL aero you normaly create yourself BIG aero problems (see: Williams 2004). But you CREATE a lot of publicity, which is most likely, what they try to achieve. Anyway they don't have the money to do the aero-testing involved to do it properly.

True, but this is Minardi... I reckon by about 2007 they will have ironed the bugs out of the design and be only 2 seconds slower than the next team. They have plenty of time to fix the design - 5 years from date of first car?

Silk Cut Jaguar · 5 Feb 2005, 22:59 (Ref:1218446)

Think about it, if the aero package doesn't work they'll be at the back of the grid as usual. I wouldn't even call this a gamble, everything to gain and nothing to lose.

Here's hoping Minardi get one top 6 finish this year

Sodemo · 5 Feb 2005, 23:07 (Ref:1218452)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silk Cut Jaguar

Think about it, if the aero package doesn't work they'll be at the back of the grid as usual. I wouldn't even call this a gamble, everything to gain and nothing to lose.

Here's hoping Minardi get one top 6 finish this year

Thats a very good point, well made.

It puzzles me the Minardi / Stoddart relationship.

Surely he can't go on forever, surviving with the scraps he funds the team on? He should invest some of his own money into the team or sell up.

agwiii · 5 Feb 2005, 23:10 (Ref:1218455)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monster

Surely he can't go on forever, surviving with the scraps he funds the team on? He should invest some of his own money into the team or sell up.

Stoddart is no fool. Don't you think he's setting up Minardi to be sold at a good return on investment?

Ian Sowman · 5 Feb 2005, 23:14 (Ref:1218459)

Darn, Mr Hoyer pre-empted my joke. Mind you, the latest Radical is probably quicker than a Minardi...

agwiii · 5 Feb 2005, 23:20 (Ref:1218460)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silk Cut Jaguar

Think about it, if the aero package doesn't work they'll be at the back of the grid as usual. I wouldn't even call this a gamble, everything to gain and nothing to lose. Here's hoping Minardi get one top 6 finish this year

That is exactly Minardi's position. When you've got nothing, you've got nothing to lose.

maximus · 5 Feb 2005, 23:27 (Ref:1218462)

I really hope it works.......................but doubt it sadly, I really want to see Minardi do well but I doubt it'll ever happen.

Still I want to see what this new car looks like!

agwiii · 5 Feb 2005, 23:31 (Ref:1218463)

Quote:

Originally Posted by maximus

I really hope it works ....................... but doubt it sadly, I really want to see Minardi do well but I doubt it'll ever happen. Still I want to see what this new car looks like!

It could happen. When you're losing, you need to try something different. Innovation is more likely from Minardi than Ferrari.

Do you agree?

maximus · 5 Feb 2005, 23:31 (Ref:1218464)

Definatly, its just the lack of resources may hinder them.

TedN · 5 Feb 2005, 23:54 (Ref:1218475)

Weren't Minardi the first team to build titanium gearboxes? Now most teams have them. In a recent edition of Autosport magazine, Stoddard said they have been working on the 2005 car for 2 years. The previous year's cars were just minor updates.

Can't wait for the unveiling. I love the minnows in F1!

Ted

Kicking-back · 5 Feb 2005, 23:56 (Ref:1218479)

Paul Stoddard has invested his own money in Minardi.

But I suppose that's never enough for some people.

We now have people on this forum who openly hate Minardi, Midland, Red Bull and slag off Sauber.

Do people only want manufacturer teams?

maximus · 6 Feb 2005, 00:17 (Ref:1218491)

Sounds like it to me.

Logrence · 6 Feb 2005, 00:25 (Ref:1218495)

I slag everyone off, it's better than ambivalence and it gives you all something to read.

No, actually I really don't care. Yes, F1 would be far better off with just manufacturer teams. GPWC anyone?

avsfan733 · 6 Feb 2005, 00:27 (Ref:1218498)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TedN

Weren't Minardi the first team to build titanium gearboxes? Now most teams have them. In a recent edition of Autosport magazine, Stoddard said they have been working on the 2005 car for 2 years. The previous year's cars were just minor updates.

Can't wait for the unveiling. I love the minnows in F1!

Ted

first die cast titanium box not first titanium box, but yes they did lead the way on that technology which is now the basically standard box design except certain carbon units

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Radical SR3	DanJR1	Racing Technology	2	10 Mar 2003 19:23
Radical BAR?	slicktoast	Formula One	12	8 Jun 2002 18:21
Happy Birthday Minardi PART II: the greatest Minardi driver of all time	Tristan	Formula One	23	24 Apr 2001 21:29
The Radical car........	Lee Purnell	National & Club Racing	26	3 Mar 2000 15:41