Minardi PS03

Minardi PS03

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

The Minardi PS03 is a Formula One car used by the Minardi team during the 2003 Formula One season.

The PS03 was the third Minardi 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 Nicolas Kiesa as the test driver. The highlight of the season for the team was Verstappen's fastest time on Friday at Magny Cours, however this was only because it rained. Surprisingly, even though the team had many retirements; 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 holed radiators, physical issues and a recurring refuelling glitch.

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

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 previous year's sponsorship from Kuala Lumpur due to Alex Yoong's departure to Champ Car. 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 Aviation, (Stoddart's own company) put up sponsorship as did various other small companies for small sums of money, including Gazprom, who reportedly did not pay.^{[citation needed]} 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 was initially no title sponsor until the Dutch company Trust joined the team for the 2003 Monaco Grand Prix.

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year	Entrant	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	Points	WCC
2003	European Minardi Cosworth	Cosworth V10	B		AUS	MAL	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	10	15

References

• Henry, Alan (ed.) (2003). AUTOCOURSE 2003-2004. Hazleton Publishing Ltd.. pp. 80–81. ISBN 1-903135-20-6.