Minardi PS03 heading for shakedown

The new Minardi PS03 is looking likely to get its shakedown next week, probably at Fiorano, and Jos Verstappen hopes to be behind the wheel. Minardi is one of the last teams to reveal a new car: there has been no word from McLaren on when, or if, it ...

The new Minardi PS03 is looking likely to get its shakedown next week, probably at Fiorano, and Jos Verstappen hopes to be behind the wheel. Minardi is one of the last teams to reveal a new car: there has been no word from McLaren on when, or if, it intends to launch and the Jordan Ford EJ13's livery will be unveiled at Barcelona on Monday.

Jos Verstappen.

Photo by Elmar Vat.

"If everything goes well on Tuesday or Wednesday the car will be finished," Verstappen told his website. "We will immediately do a shakedown test. I assume that Minardi will let the most experienced driver, me, do the shakedown. I am able to feel how the car is. I showed that in Valencia; drove a couple of laps, explained to the team what had to be changed and the at the end of the test I had a reasonable time."

The PS03 is scheduled to be officially launched in Melbourne, in the week prior to the Australian Grand Prix. Verstappen explained that the chassis is a new design save for small areas: "The PS03 is a new car. Only the bottom part of the front wing has not been changed in comparison to last year. The rest is new: suspension, aerodynamics, gearbox and the engine."

"During a shakedown the team will have a look how all part behave," the Dutchman added. "How well does the gearbox work with the engine management. Out the box for a lap, back in, study data and out again. All in all it will take about half a day. Then we will get the real testing work. How everything fits together we will know and see next week."

Minardi will run with a Cosworth engine this year but is still negotiating with Bridgestone for a tyre supply. During testing last month the team had to resort to Avon F3000 tyres -- Minardi parted company with Michelin last year but a deal with Bridgestone hadn't been signed and neither manufacturer was inclined to supply the Faenza squad with tyres. A deal is hoped to be finalized next week with Bridgestone.