Inside line: Q&A with Cosworth
2010-02-08 09:07
Dieter Rencken
Hot on the heels of its virtual launch, Virgin Racing gave
its virtually-designed Virgin VR-01 F1 car, designed entirely
with the aid of computational fluid dynamics computer programmes, a
two-day shakedown test on Silverstone’s (short) Stowe circuit, with former Toyota F1 driver Timo Glock doing the bulk
of cockpit duties.
Thus Virgin Racing became the first of the four new teams entering F1
this year to not only first unveil its car – albeit on the internet -
but also the first to actually run a car on-track.
‘After 10 challenging months, all the commitment and determination has
finally paid off,’ commented Nick Wirth, Virgin's technical director,
who has risked his reputation by designing the first contemporary car
to scorn traditional wind tunnel development in favour of CFD – more
usually used as verification for wind tunnel results.
‘Today was all about those tentative first few steps, but the programme
really gets underway tomorrow (Friday) with a full day of on-track
evaluation for both Timo and Lucas (di Grassi).’
Glock was equally delighted after his stint: ‘It was a fantastic moment
for myself and the whole team to see the VR-01 come alive. It's great
to be back in a racing car,’ the German said.
Virgin moves to Jerez, Spain next week to join the majority of teams
for the second of F1’s four official pre-season tests. Red Bull
Racing’s 2010 design, based on last year’s pace-setting RB05, is due to
be unveiled on Wednesday prior to heading for the track on the first
day.
Teams are, though, reportedly nervous about the forecast weather
conditions in Spain’s sherry-producing region: early forecasts predict
torrential rain for the opening two days of the four-day test, with
intermittent showers a possibly for the final two days.
The remaining tests are scheduled for Jerez (17-20 February) and
Barcelona (25-28 February), where after the teams head for Bahrain for
the season opener on 14 March.
F1 Q&A: Mark Gallagher, Cosworth
Following this week’s tests, which saw Williams-Cosworth and
Virgin-Cosworth get their first test laps under their belts, the
Cosworth press office issued this Q+A with Mark Gallagher, general
manager for the engine producer:
Q. How important have this week's activities been for Cosworth's pre-season preparations?
MG: We have been delighted to get started with pre-season
testing in Valencia with Williams this week as it was our first
opportunity to run the CA2010 in the back of a race car with all of the
implications that that brings. Developing and testing an engine in our
facilities in Northampton is one thing but committing it to the track
takes us into an entirely new phase of our programme.
Q. What work was carried out with Williams in Valencia this week?
MG: Our work with Williams has been very important in order to
collect data, driver feedback and to gauge the initial results from the
marriage of the new CA2010 engine to the all-new FW32 chassis. Our
first measure of performance was always going to be durability and the
fact that Rubens (Barrichello) and Nico (Hulkenberg) completed over
1,200kms between them showed that engine reliability has been in line
with our expectations.
We also looked at the overall success of the installation, seeing how
the engine works together with the Williams transmission and checking
all associated systems, pressures, cooling, temperatures. From a human
point of view, Valencia was the first time that our dedicated team of
track support technicians and engineers worked as an integrated part of
the Williams team, which is a key aspect of the working relationship,
so in that regard it was an important milestone. We now look forward to
next week's Jerez test where we can take our technical programme with
the team to the next level.
Q. What do you make of the recently launched Virgin-Cosworth VR-01?
MG: It was very rewarding to see the Virgin-Cosworth VR-01 unveiled
this week and to welcome the first of our new teams into Formula 1. We
have developed a strong working relationship with Virgin Racing over
the last few months and I'd like to congratulate Nick Wirth and his
design team for the results of their efforts. We are doing all we can
to support them from the outset of their F1 activities and when they
join Williams in Jerez next week we will have two teams on track which
will greatly enhance our pre-season activities.
Q. What work is Cosworth carrying out with Virgin Racing at Silverstone?
MG: We are at Silverstone with Virgin Racing carrying out a
basic shakedown ahead of the test in Jerez. Although the weather hasn't
been great today, the car has run as planned and it has been a useful
opportunity to start understanding the new chassis-engine package. This
will help ensure that we are able to make the most of next week's
important test in Spain.
Force India ready to race?
Despite media reports in London that Force India Formula 1 Team could
be deregistered after failing to timeously lodge 2008 financial results
with the UK authorities - thereby becoming ineligible to compete in the
2010 FIA Formula 1 World Championship – team boss Vijay Mallya is
adamant the company will lodge the necessary reports in time to ward
off any dissolution process.
The flamboyant Indian entrepreneur and company chief operating officer
Otmar Szafnauer have been in constant contact with Companies House, and
expect papers to be filed by the 25 February deadline.
‘This is standard procedure, and not uncommon in any industry,’ he said.
The team, which launches its Mercedes-powered VJM03 on the internet on
Tuesday 9 February, before heading for F1’s second official test
session which commences in Jerez, Spain on Wednesday. The team’s 2009
drivers Adrian Sutil and Tonio Liuzzi - the latter promoted from the
role of test driver, having put in solid performances as stand in for
Giancarlo Fisichella, who replaced the injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari
– have been confirmed, while young DTM star Paul di Resta is expected
to be announced as tester.
