Minardi M197
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mauro Gennaro (Chief Designer)
Mariano Alperin (Chief Aerodynamicist)
 | |||||||||
| Category | Formula One | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Minardi | ||||||||
| Designers | 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 Katayama21.  Jarno Trulli21.  Tarso Marques | ||||||||
| Debut | 1997 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| 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.
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]
The M197 was the last Minardi car to utilize V8 naturally-aspirated engine in the sport until Ferrari powered the Scuderia Toro Rosso STR2 056 V8 engine in 2007 season.
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 Tyrrells, both Arrows including that of reigning World Champion Damon Hill and both Lolas. 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]
