|
Midland MF1
Toyota M16
Gary Parravani/AutoRacing1.com |
Silverstone, UK - MF1 Racing - the Formula One team
owned and operated by Midland Group - today unveiled the car with
which it will compete in the 2006 FIA F1 World Championship: the
Midland MF1 Toyota M16.
The all-new car - adorned in striking grey, red and
white livery - represents the first entry in the 56-year history of
the World Championship to race with a Russian motorsport license.
"It has been an exciting, sometimes bumpy ride since
we accelerated our plans and became involved in F1 a year earlier than
expected," said Colin Kolles, Managing Director of MF1 Racing. "But
through all the ups and downs, we maintained a clear vision of where
want to be and, step by step, we are getting there.
"We have restructured the company and refurbished our
headquarters as the first stage of our long-term plans. The M16 car is
100% a product of MF1 Racing - solid proof of our serious intentions.
But even though we have invested a great deal into building a
brand-new car, we remain realistic about the challenge we face as a
private team against the world's top motor manufacturers.
|
Monteiro and
Albers pose with their new Midland MF1
Toyota M16
Gary Parravani/AutoRacing1.com |
"At this stage in our development, we are excited to
give opportunities to the young men and women who will become the
future of Formula 1. Technical Director James Key and his team of
engineers, who have designed and built the M16, are those people.
Their car, like the company as a whole, is a platform for the future
and will be continuously developed. Our target for 2006 is consistent
and visible progress compared to our rivals, while maintaining the
superb reliability record that highlighted 2005. Special thanks should
be given to our technical partners, Toyota and Bridgestone, whose
continued support has made today possible."
MF1 Racing's drivers for the 2006 FIA F1 World
Championship season were confirmed as 2005 F1 Rookie of the Year Tiago
Monteiro from Portugal and Dutchman Christijan Albers. Germans Markus
Winkelhock and Adrian Sutil, as well as Roman Rusinov from Russia,
were introduced as the team's test drivers.
|
Midland MF1
finally confirmed Monteiro as its 2nd driver
MF1 Racing |
"Both Tiago and Christijan had outstanding rookie
years in 2005 and we believe this tandem forms a strong, competitive
partnership that will benefit us in our first season as MF1 Racing,"
added Kolles. "Our three test drivers have all achieved considerable
success in other formulae and we are confident they have the potential
to develop into successful F1 drivers."
"The M16 is a completely new car," said James Key,
Technical Director of MF1 Racing. "Obviously, the information we have
gained from developing the EJ15B has gone into building the M16, but
it is significantly improved in so many ways - mechanically,
aerodynamically, even the way it is packaged. We are very optimistic
about the progress that lies ahead."
"With the M16, we have made a significant leap forward in every
respect," said team owner Alex Shnaider, Chairman and co-founder of
Midland Group.
|
Monteiro and
Albers pose with their new Midland MF1
Toyota M16
Gary Parravani/AutoRacing1.com |
"I am very proud of the passion and ingenuity demonstrated by our
workforce and partners, who are the lifeblood of this team. Everyone
has worked extremely hard to make this car a reality and I am
confident that if we maintain this level of commitment, we will
continue to make further and more frequent leaps forward in the years
to come."
Shakedown testing of the Midland MF1 Toyota M16 is due to take place
at Silverstone on 04 Feb., followed by a four-day test at Jerez
beginning 07 Feb.
Technical
Specifications
The following is a list of
the new car's technical specifications.
Chassis
Full carbon fiber composite monocoque
Front suspension
Composite pushrods activating chassis mounted in-line dampers and
torsion bars, unequal length composite aerodynamic wishbones, front
anti-roll bar and cast uprights.
Rear suspension
Composite pushrods activating gearbox mounted rotary dampers & torsion
bars, unequal length composite aerodynamic wishbones, and cast
uprights.
Transmission
In-house Midland MF1 Racing design. 7-speed + reverse longitudinal
gearbox with electrohydraulic sequential gear change
Wheel base
More than 3000mm
Front track
1480mm
Rear track
1418mm
Overall height
950mm
Overall length
Approx. 5000 mm
Overall weight
601kg (with driver)
Clutch
Triple plate AP racing clutch
Wheels
Forged BBS wheels to MF1 Racing specification
Fuel tank capacity
Over 90 kg
Engine
Designation
RVX-06
Number of Cylinders
8
Capacity
2398cc
Horsepower
More than 700bhp
Revolutions
Approx. 20,000rpm
Valve actuation
Pneumatic
Throttle actuation
Hydraulic
Spark Plugs
DENSO
Press Release MF1 Racing
''Feedback can be sent to
feedback@autoracing1.com
Go to our
forums
to discuss this article
|
