R-34
05-27-2003, 01:53 PM
DaimlerChrysler prepares new F1 race car
The West McLaren Mercedes MP4-18 Formula One car made its testing debut on Wednesday 21st May 2003 at the Paul Ricard circuit, in the South of France. It was driven by Third Driver Alexander Wurz. It is not yet known when the car will make its official race debut. The MP4-18 incorporates a number of visible differences which include a shorter and lower nose, a more tightly packaged rear and a slight dorsal fin shaping to the engine cover. In addition the new Mercedes-Benz engine, the FO 110P V10, has been lowered within the car, producing centre of gravity benefits. Martin Whitmarsh, MD of McLaren International said, "There is an obvious sense of expectancy when you run a new car for the first time, a feeling which is perhaps heightened this year as we believe the MP4-18 will represent a significant step forward for the West McLaren Mercedes team. Our long-term strategy is to re-establish the team as a consistent winner, through increasing overall competitiveness and reliability. To achieve this demands significant, rather than incremental, steps. One such step was to provide the design teams at McLaren International and Mercedes-Benz, with the opportunity to develop the MP4-18 and the new engine in a time frame which allowed greater innovation whilst managing technical risk. This approach extends to the race introduction of the MP4-18, which has yet to be finalised and will not take place until we are in the position where the transition between the MP4-17D and the new car will be seamless."
Norbert Haug, vice president, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, commented, "The FO 110P V10 is completely new. The engine has been purpose built for the MP4-18 to form an integral part of the car. Everybody at Mercedes-Ilmor in Brixworth and at Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart have been working extremely hard developing the new engine as well as further improving the FO 110M V10 which is currently being run in MP4-17D. With the FO 110P we intend to take a further step forward to contribute efficiently to the competitiveness of the overall package."
The West McLaren Mercedes MP4-18 Formula One car made its testing debut on Wednesday 21st May 2003 at the Paul Ricard circuit, in the South of France. It was driven by Third Driver Alexander Wurz. It is not yet known when the car will make its official race debut. The MP4-18 incorporates a number of visible differences which include a shorter and lower nose, a more tightly packaged rear and a slight dorsal fin shaping to the engine cover. In addition the new Mercedes-Benz engine, the FO 110P V10, has been lowered within the car, producing centre of gravity benefits. Martin Whitmarsh, MD of McLaren International said, "There is an obvious sense of expectancy when you run a new car for the first time, a feeling which is perhaps heightened this year as we believe the MP4-18 will represent a significant step forward for the West McLaren Mercedes team. Our long-term strategy is to re-establish the team as a consistent winner, through increasing overall competitiveness and reliability. To achieve this demands significant, rather than incremental, steps. One such step was to provide the design teams at McLaren International and Mercedes-Benz, with the opportunity to develop the MP4-18 and the new engine in a time frame which allowed greater innovation whilst managing technical risk. This approach extends to the race introduction of the MP4-18, which has yet to be finalised and will not take place until we are in the position where the transition between the MP4-17D and the new car will be seamless."
Norbert Haug, vice president, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, commented, "The FO 110P V10 is completely new. The engine has been purpose built for the MP4-18 to form an integral part of the car. Everybody at Mercedes-Ilmor in Brixworth and at Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart have been working extremely hard developing the new engine as well as further improving the FO 110M V10 which is currently being run in MP4-17D. With the FO 110P we intend to take a further step forward to contribute efficiently to the competitiveness of the overall package."