Minardi PS03

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Minardi PS03

Category	Formula One
Constructor	Minardi
Designer	Gabriele Tredozi
Chassis	Carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)	Double Wishbone pushrod activated torsion bars
Suspension (rear)	Pushrod activated torsion bars
Engine	European V10 (72°) naturally aspirated
Transmission	Minardi 6-speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Fuel	Elf
Tyres	Michelin
Notable entrants	European Minardi F1
Notable drivers	18. Justin Wilson Nicolas Kiesa 19. Jos Verstappen
Debut	2003 Australian Grand Prix
Races competed	16
Race victories	0
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0
Pole positions	0
Fastest laps	0

The Minardi PS03 was the third car to be created under the influence of Paul Stoddart and he wanted it to be a regular point scorer. Justin Wilson and Jos Verstappen were the drivers, with Nicholas Kiesa as the test driver. The highlight of the season for the team was Jos Verstappen's fastest time on Friday at Magny Cours, however this was only because it rained! Surprisingly, even though the team had many retirements, Justin Wilson only finishing 2 of his first 8 races, the Cosworth engines were reliable, they never caused the driver to retire. What caused Wilson to retire these 6 times was; 3 hoed radiators, physical issues and a re-fuelling glitch. This glitch would return only 2 races later.

One of the main problems Minardi always had with the car was the lack of wind-tunel testing, only managing 12 days in the Fondmetal windtunnel.

[edit] Pre-Season Issues

At first the team appeared to have no sponsors, engines or tyres. Michelin had pulled out of the team leaving Minardi to run some pre-season tests on Avon tyres. Asiatech engines were gone, as was the KL Sponsorship. This left Minardi in some serious problems. Eventually Bridgestone agreed to make the tyres, and with the help of new driver Jos Verstappen they managed to get sponsorship from Trust. European Avaiation, Stoddart's own company put up sponsorship as did various other small companies for little sums of money, including Gazprum, who reportedly did not pay. Minardi also managed to get Cosworth engines, old 72 degree V10's, un-tuned and similar to those being used in the Jordan of that season but these were slightly longer. There remained no title sponsor.

[edit] 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	Points	WCC
2003	Minardi	European V10	B		AUS	MYS	BRA	SMR	ESP	AUT	MON	CAN	EUR	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	ITA	USA	JPN	0	NC
				Justin Wilson	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	11	13	Ret	Ret	13	14	16
				Nicolas Kiesa												12	13	12	11	16
				Jos Verstappen	11	13	Ret	Ret	12	Ret	Ret	9	14	16	15	Ret	12	Ret	11	15

[edit] References

Minardi

Formula One cars: M185 | M185B | M186 | M187 | M188 | M188B | M189 | M190 | M191 | M192 | M193 | M193B | M194 | M195 | M195B | M197 | M198 | M01 | M02 | PS01 | PS02 | PS03 | PS04B | PS05