Midland M16

Last updated
Midland M16
Spyker M16
Tiago Monteiro 2006 April.jpg
Category Formula One
Constructor Midland F1 Racing
Designer(s) James Key (Technical Director)
John McQuilliam (Chief Designer)
Simon Phillips (Head of Aerodynamics)
Predecessor Jordan EJ15B
Successor Spyker F8-VII
Technical specifications [1]
Chassis Carbon-fibre composite monocoque
Suspension (front)Composite pushrods activating chassis-mounted in-line dampers and torsion bars, unequal length composite aerodynamic wishbones, front anti-roll bar and cast uprights
Suspension (rear)as front
Length4,610 mm (181 in)
Width1,800 mm (71 in)
Height1,000 mm (39 in)
Engine Toyota RVX-06 2.4 L (146 cu in) V8 (90°). Naturally-aspirated, mid-mounted.
Transmission Midland with Toyota internals 7 forward speeds + 1 reverse semi-automatic
Weight600 kg (1,323 lb) (including driver and camera)
Fuel Esso
Lubricants Esso
Tyres Bridgestone
BBS wheels (front and rear)
Competition history
Notable entrants Flag of Russia.svg Midland F1 Racing (Rounds 1-15)
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Spyker MF1 Racing (Rounds 16-18)
Notable drivers18. Flag of Portugal.svg Tiago Monteiro
19. Flag of the Netherlands.svg Christijan Albers
Debut 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix
Last event 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix Races = 18
Wins Podiums Poles F/Laps
0000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Midland M16, also known as the Spyker M16, was the car with which the Midland team competed in the 2006 Formula One season. It was driven by Tiago Monteiro, who had driven for the team in 2005 during its Jordan guise, and Christijan Albers, who moved from Minardi.

Contents

Background

Development and design

Although Eddie Jordan had sold his team prior to the start of the 2005 season, 2006 marked the first year for the team under the Midland banner. Originally, Dallara were going to build the Midland car for 2006, however this did not materialise with the team utilising their wind-tunnel but building the chassis themselves in the UK. [2] The M16 was launched on February 3rd, marking the first time a Russian manufacturer had entered Formula One. The car undertook a shakedown test at Silverstone the following day, before the four day Jerez test which began on February 7th. James Key was appointed Technical Director, along with Adrian Sutil, Markus Winkelhock and Roman Rusinov as test drivers. [3] [4] Engines for the M16 were purchased from Toyota, and Key noted significant aerodynamic improvements - especially around the rear of the car - from the previous seasons EJ15B. [5]

Testing

During the early tests, the M16 posted strong reliability, however it was noted the car had some unique handling characteristics for the drivers to get used to before the season opened in Bahrain. [6] By day 3, the drivers were posting 1.20.6 laps of Jerez, running both the M16 and old EJ15B chassis. This was an improvement of their first tests with the Toyota V8 in December 2005, where Albers and Thomas Biagi were lapping between 1.21-1.23. [7] [8]

Season overview

The season was not a success for Midland. Early results were poor, with significant numbers of retirements that only worsened as the season progressed, despite positive comments from the Midland technical team. [9] At the 2006 German Grand Prix, both cars were disqualified for running flexible wings that failed FIA testing. [10] The following race in Hungary was the M16's best results - Monteiro and Albers finishing 9th and 10th respectively.

In September, the Midland team was sold by Alex Shnaider to Dutch car manufacturer Spyker Cars just before the Italian GP. The livery was changed to orange and silver, however results did not improve and the team finished 10th in the Constructors' Championship with 0 points. [11] [12] Over the course of the season the car scored a median qualifying performance of 19th and median fastest lap performance of 18th. [13]

Other appearances

The M16 also made a brief appearance in the third episode of the first season of the American legal drama television series Suits .

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

YearEntrantEngineTyresDrivers123456789101112131415161718PointsWCC
2006 Midland F1 Racing
Spyker MF1 Racing
Toyota V8 B BHR MAL AUS SMR EUR ESP MON GBR CAN USA FRA GER HUN TUR ITA CHN JPN BRA 0NC
Flag of Portugal.svg Tiago Monteiro 1713Ret161216151614RetRetDSQ9RetRetRet1615
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Christijan Albers Ret1211Ret13Ret1215RetRet15DSQ10Ret1715Ret14

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