Minardi M197

Minardi M197

Category	Formula One
Constructor	Minardi
Designer(s)	Gabriele Tredozi (Technical Director) Mauro Gennaro (Chief Designer) Mariano Alperin (Chief Aerodynamicist)
Predecessor	M195B
Successor	M198
Technical specifications
Chassis	carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)	double wishbones, pushrod
Suspension (rear)	as front
Engine	Hart 830 3-litre 72° V8 naturally-aspirated mid-engine
Transmission	Minardi/Xtrac six-speed longitudinal sequential semi-automatic
Power	680 hp @ 13,100 rpm [1]
Fuel	Petroscience
Tyres	Bridgestone
Competition history
Notable entrants	Minardi Team
Notable drivers	20. Ukyo Katayama 21. Jarno Trulli 21. Tarso Marques
Debut	1997 Australian Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles F/Laps 17 0 0 0
Teams' Championships	0
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

The Minardi M197 was the car with which the Minardi Formula One team competed in the 1997 Formula One season.

Development

In late 1996, Minardi were acquired by a consortium led by Flavio Briatore including former Minardi driver Alessandro Nannini and Gabriele Rumi of Fondmetal. Giancarlo Minardi retained a minority shareholding of the team that bore his name. ^{[2] [3]}

The M197 was developed by Minardi chief engineer Gabriele Tredozi, head of the drawing office Mauro Gennaro, and lead aerodynamicist Mariano Alperin. The M197 was developed heavily at Fondmetal's wind tunnel in Ferrara, Italy. Davide Colombo also joined the aerodynamics team from F3000. Although design and development work had begun in mid-1996, the decision to use Hart V8 engines for 1997 was made late leading to extensive redesign work on the car in preparation for the first Grand Prix. ^[4]

Racing overview

Minardi launched the M197 on February 4, 1997. It was confirmed at the unveiling the 1997 drivers would be Ukyo Katayama and rookie Jarno Trulli. Tarso Marques was retained as a test driver ^[5] At the launch, it was announced a partnership with Mild Seven. ^[6]

At the first Grand Prix in Australia, both drivers qualified well - ahead of both Tyrrell's, both Arrows including that of reigning World Champion Damon Hill and both Lola's. Katayama would ultimately retire from the race, however Trulli finished in 9th. ^[7] Trulli would go on to complete all of the first three Grand Prix, whilst more experienced team mate Katayama suffered two retirements. Trulli failed to start the San Marino Grand Prix due to a hydraulic failure. ^[8]

Ahead of the 1997 French Grand Prix, Trulli left Minardi to join Prost Grand Prix and was replaced by Marques. ^{[9] [10]} Neither Marques or Katayama would score a point during the remainder of the season. Marques was disqualified from the 1997 Austrian Grand Prix due to a weight infringement. ^[11]

The team were unclassified in the Constructors' Championship, with no points. They were classified ahead of the Lola team, who withdrew from the championship after the first Grand Prix. ^{[12] [13]}

Test drivers

The M197 was utilised by a number of drivers during test sessions. Alongside the three race drivers of Katayama, Trulli and Marques the M197 was tested by Esteban Tuero, Tom Kristensen, Luca Badoer, Laurent Redon and Oliver Martini. ^[14]

Livery

The M197 featured a return to Minardi's colour scheme of black, yellow and white, used from 1988 to 1992. Fondmetal was one of the major sponsors, along with Mild Seven (brought by new driver Ukyo Katayama) and Roces.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year	Team	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	Points	WCC
1997	Minardi	Hart V8	B		AUS	BRA	ARG	SMR	MON	ESP	CAN	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	AUT	LUX	JPN	EUR	0	NC
				Jarno Trulli	9	12	9	DNS	Ret	15	Ret
				Tarso Marques								Ret	10	Ret	12	Ret	14	EX	Ret	Ret	15
				Ukyo Katayama	Ret	18	Ret	11	10	Ret	Ret	11	Ret	Ret	10	14	Ret	11	Ret	Ret	17

References

1. statsf1.com/en/moteur-hart.aspx
2. "Nannini and Minardi". Grand Prix. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
3. Vigar, Simon (24 April 2008). Forza Minardi!: The Inside Story of the Little Team That Took on the Giants of F1. Veloce Publishing Ltd. p. 53. ISBN   978-1845841607.
4. "Technical analysis: Minardi-Hart M197". Grand Prix. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
5. "Minardi signs Trulli". Grand Prix. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
6. "Minardi unveil the M 197; Frentzen has first test; New Sauber; Canadian GP". Atlas F1. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
7. "1997 Australian Grand Prix". Chicane F1. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
8. "San Marino GP Review". Atlas F1. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
9. "Trulli replaces Panis". Grand Prix. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
10. "1997". Forza Minardi. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
11. "Schumacher's yellow flag penalty helps Villeneuve slash his points lead". Race Fans. 21 September 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
12. "Minardi M197". Stats F1. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
13. "Race car Minardi M197 in motorsport. Full information". Autosport World. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
14. "Overview Formula One Testing In 1997". Unraced F1. 19 December 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2022.

• AUTOCOURSE 1997-98, Henry, Alan (ed.), Hazleton Publishing Ltd. (1997) ISBN   1-874557-47-0