Minardi PS03

Last updated
Minardi PS03
Justin Wilson 2003 Silverstone.jpg
Category Formula One
Constructor Minardi
Designer(s) Gabriele Tredozi (Technical Director)
George Ryton (Chief Designer)
Loïc Bigois (Chief Aerodynamicist)
Predecessor PS02
Successor PS04B
Technical specifications
Chassis Carbon-fibre and aluminium honeycomb composite monocoque
Suspension (front)Upper/lower composite-reinforced wishbones, pushrod-activated torsion springs, mechanical anti-roll bars
Suspension (rear)Upper/lower composite-reinforced wishbones, pushrod-activated torsion rockers, mechanical anti-roll bars
Length4,548 mm (179 in)
Width1,800 mm (71 in)
Height950 mm (37 in)
Axle track Front: 1,480  mm (58  in)
Rear: 1,410  mm (56  in)
Wheelbase 3,097  mm (122  in)
Engine Cosworth CR-3 2,998 cc (183 cu in) V10 (72°) naturally aspirated mid-mounted
Transmission Minardi with Jaguar internals 6-speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
BatteryMidac
Power805 hp @ 17,500 rpm [1]
Weight600 kg (1,323 lb)
Fuel Elf
Lubricants Elf/CPC
Brakes Brembo 6-piston calipers, carbon discs and pads
Tyres Bridgestone Potenza
Competition history
Notable entrants European Minardi Cosworth
Trust Minardi Cosworth
Notable drivers18. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Justin Wilson
18. Flag of Denmark.svg Nicolas Kiesa
19. Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jos Verstappen
Debut 2003 Australian Grand Prix
Last event 2003 Japanese Grand Prix
RacesWins Poles F/Laps
16000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Minardi PS03 was the car with which the Minardi team competed in the 2003 Formula One World Championship.

Contents

Overview

Minardi announced that for the 2003 season, veteran Dutch driver Jos Verstappen and rookie Justin Wilson would race for the team, replacing Alex Yoong who went to ChampCar and Mark Webber who joined Jaguar Racing. [2] Wilson joined the team after a crowdfunding effort by his father, and former F1 driver Jonathan Palmer after Justin had missed out on a drive with Jordan Grand Prix in 2002 due to his height. Minardi agreed to make a car that would fit his frame. [3] [4] [5] [6] It was reported at the time both Verstappen and Wilson paid £2million for their drives. [7] Anthony Davidson, who stepped in to drive the PS02 had been linked with a drive, but declined at the cost. [8] Verstappen returned to the F1 grid after sitting out the 2002 season. [9] Matteo Bobbi was retained for a third season as test and development driver for the PS03. [10]

Previous engine supplier Asiatech had gone out of business, and discussions with Ferrari to provide engines were ongoing through late 2002. Ultimately, the team went with Cosworth engines as the £15million fee for Ferrari engines was too great. [11] [12] The teams supply issues were apparent again, after Michelin stepped away in November 2002 as tyre supplier, with Jos Verstappen arriving to test in Valencia and Minardi had no tyres for the PS03. Therefore, Verstappen tested the 2001 PS01 on Avon F3000 tyres. [13] [14] It would not be until late February 2003 an agreement with Bridgestone was reached. [15] Late in February, Minardi held a test session at Imola Circuit where the second Cosworth powered PS03 chassis was tested for the first time, with Bridgestone tyres. Just 24 hours before the car would be packed for transit to Australia for the first round. [16]

The PS03 was launched formally in Melbourne, Australia ahead of the first race. [17] [18]

Jos Verstappen driving the PS03 at Silverstone Jos Verstappen 2003 Silverstone.jpg
Jos Verstappen driving the PS03 at Silverstone

The 2003 season was largely challenging for Minardi. The PS03 secured no points all season and retired from 11 races, including Justin Wilson retiring from the first four races. [19] He suffered from exhaustion and temporary paralysis in the neck during the 2003 Malaysian Grand Prix due to his HANS device coming loose and restricting arm movement inside the PS03 cockpit. [20] [21] Verstappen had a chance of scoring points at the rain soaked 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix, where a host of drivers including world champion Michael Schumacher retired, but retired on lap 31 due to a spin. [22]

In June 2003, owner Stoddart had purchased five Arrows A23 race cars following the teams administration. There was speculation that the cars were of higher quality than the PS03 and they may run in the Minardi colours for 2004. [23] [24] In August of that year, Jos Verstappen tested the A23 at Mugello Circuit to assess its suitability. [25] [26]

In July, Wilson was signed by Jaguar Racing and replaced outgoing driver Antonio Pizzonia. [27] [28] Minardi quickly signed Nicolas Kiesa, who did not score any points but finished all five Grand Prix he competed in driving the PS03. [29]

Minardi would ultimately finish in last place in the Constructors' Championship.

Financial difficulties and sponsorship

Minardi started the year with a primarily black car, featuring heavy sponsorship from owner Paul Stoddart's European Aviation brand. Alongside this were new deals with Gazprom and Superfund. Gazprom defaulted on their payments and were removed from the car before the 2003 Austrian Grand Prix. [30] At this time, Dutch business Trust upped their sponsorship and the car gained a black & white split livery. [31]

At the beginning of the season, there were on-going discussions between team bosses and the FIA about the distribution of revenue. Ron Dennis and Frank Williams were particularly against supporting Minardi, and this was heavily criticised by then FIA president Max Mosley. [32] [33]

Part way through the season, Bernie Ecclestone bought a minority shareholding in the team. [34] By October, Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport claimed Minardi had been sold for 2004, this was later refuted by owner Stoddart. [35]

Complete Formula One results

(key)

YearEntrantEngineTyresDrivers12345678910111213141516PointsWCC
2003 European Minardi Cosworth Cosworth V10 B AUS MAL BRA SMR ESP AUT MON CAN EUR FRA GBR GER HUN ITA USA JPN 010th
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Justin Wilson RetRetRetRet1113RetRet131416
Flag of Denmark.svg Nicolas Kiesa 1213121116
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jos Verstappen 1113RetRet12RetRet9141615Ret12Ret1015

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References

  1. ↑ "Engine Ford Cosworth • STATS F1".
  2. ↑ "Verstappen signs for Minardi". crash.net. 10 January 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  3. ↑ "ON THIS DAY IN F1 – CROWDFUNDING GOT JUSTIN WILSON A SEAT AT MINARDI". WTF1. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  4. ↑ "Minardi working to fit Wilson in". Auto123. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  5. ↑ "Grapevine: Wilson: Height Not a Problem to be Quick". Autosport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  6. ↑ "Wilson: My Minardi is tailor made". Autosport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  7. ↑ "Verstappen joins Minardi". RTE. 9 January 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  8. ↑ "Davidson: Wilson's Minardi Drive a Waste of Money". Autosport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  9. ↑ "Verstappen joins Minardi". RTE. 9 January 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  10. ↑ "Bobbi to continue as Minardi tester". Motorsport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  11. ↑ "Minardi returns to Cosworth power for 2003". crash.net. 2 December 2002. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  12. ↑ "Ferrari offers engines to Minardi". Autosport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  13. ↑ "Verstappen Debuts with Minardi on Avon Tyres". Autosport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  14. ↑ "Verstappen tests for Minardi, tyre woes continue". crash.net. 30 January 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  15. ↑ "Bridgestone statement on Minardi". Motorsport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  16. ↑ "Final pre-season test for Minardi". crash.net. 26 February 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  17. ↑ "2003 Minardi Launch". Autosport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  18. ↑ "Minardi launch the PS03". Motorsport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  19. ↑ "Wilson aiming to finish in Spain". Motorsport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  20. ↑ "Wilson Taken to Medical Centre after Race". Autosport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  21. ↑ "Justin Wilson released from hospital". auto123. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  22. ↑ "Minardi: We could have won..." crash.net. 6 April 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  23. ↑ O'Connor, By Ashling. "Minardi picking over the bones of Arrows". The Times. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  24. ↑ "Minardi buys Arrows". crash.net. 18 June 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  25. ↑ "Minardi to test Arrows chassis". Motorsport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  26. ↑ "Minardi to run Arrows A23 at Mugello". crash.net. 27 August 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  27. ↑ "Wilson's move from Minardi to Jaguar justifies Palmer's faith". The Independent. 21 July 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  28. ↑ "Wilson moves to Jaguar". The Guardian. 20 July 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  29. ↑ "Kiesa lands vacant Minardi seat". Autosport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  30. ↑ "Possible split between Minardi and Gazprom". auto123. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  31. ↑ "Minardi backed by Trust". Autosport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  32. ↑ "Dennis takes aim at Minardi". BBC. 20 February 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  33. ↑ "Mosley sides with Minardi in cash row". ABC News. ABC News Australia. 26 February 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  34. ↑ "Ecclestone Buys Minardi Stake". Autosport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  35. ↑ "FStoddart denies Minardi sale". F1 Technical. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
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