As the
gleaming
transporter
pulled away
from the
Minardi
factory at
7:30 this
morning, it
marked the
culmination
of a
monumental
effort by
the entire
Faenza
squad.
Inside the
trailer was
the first
Minardi
Cosworth
PS05, the
team’s 2005
Formula One
car, and it
was en route
to the
Mugello
circuit,
where it
would
undergo its
initial
shakedown
test in the
hands of
Christijan
Albers.
All
concerned
were well
aware that
it was only
the gritty
determination
of Minardi
staff and
the
unstinting
support of
technical
partners and
suppliers
that had
allowed the
team to
complete its
first PS05
chassis in
time to take
part in
today’s test
session.
Happily,
the effort
was well
rewarded,
the
dramatic-looking
new car
running
without any
major
technical
issues, and
accumulating
a total of
204 kms
during the
course of
its initial
outing.
Minardi
personnel
returned to
Faenza at
the
conclusion
of the test
both pleased
and
satisfied
with the
day’s
events, but
also focused
on the task
of
completing
the second
PS05 chassis
in time for
next
weekend’s
San Marino
Grand Prix,
the team’s
325th event
in Formula
One World
Championship
competition.
CHRISTIJAN
ALBERS
“It was a
good day,
and I have
to say, it
was a
terrific
feeling to
give the new
car its
first run. I
would like
to
compliment
the entire
team. They
did a great
job to get
the first
PS05 chassis
ready for
today’s
test, and I
was then
able to
cover a
useful
distance
without any
significant
problems.
"I was also
very happy
with the
performance
of the
Cosworth CR6
engine,
which felt
both
powerful and
responsive. We
now have to
start
working
seriously on
chassis
set-up, and
clearly, we
have a great
deal to
learn about
the car. This
means Imola
is likely to
be quite a
challenge
for us, but
there’s huge
motivation
and
enthusiasm
within the
team, and I
know that we
are going to
make
progress.”
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Christijan Albers -
Minardi PS05 - Mugello |
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Christijan Albers -
Minardi PS05 - Mugello |
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GIAN CARLO
MINARDI,
Director
“Today, I
think we can
truly say, ‘well
begun is
half
done’. It
was
wonderful to
witness the
new car
leaving the
factory this
morning for
its first
test. The
PS05 is yet
again clear
evidence of
the
fantastic
skills of
everyone on
this team,
and there is
still a
sense of
overwhelming
emotion on
such
occasions,
even after
so many
years.
"I hope that
what I have
seen taking
place here
in recent
days will
represent
just the
starting
point for
major
achievements
that
everyone at Minardi well
deserves.”
PAUL
STODDART,
Team
Principal
“It was a
proud day
for everyone
at Minardi,
particularly
the design
team led by
Technical
Director,
Gabriele
Tredozi,
when the
first PS05
took to the
track at
Mugello this
morning. It
represented
the
culmination
of an
enormous
effort by
the entire
Minardi
team, and
marks the
true
beginning of
our 2005
season.
"When
one
considers
that the
engine,
gearbox, and
entire
chassis are
new, and
that so many
systems are
untried, the
potential
for teething
problems was
significant. The
fact the car
ran
faultlessly,
however,
really sums
up the
efforts of
the whole
team –
fantastic!
"Unfortunately,
there was
also a sad
note today,
as one
member of
staff who
was
absolutely
critical to
the
completion
of the PS05
could not be
present to
see it run.
Sandro
Parrini’s
father
passed away
this
morning, and
our thoughts
are
therefore
very much
with him and
his family
at this
time.”
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