New Minardi tests at Mugello today 15 Apr 2005
The new Minardi PS05 will undergo its initial shakedown runs during a private test at the Mugello circuit in Italy on Friday, ahead of an expected race debut at next weekend’s San Marino Grand Prix.
Dutchman Christijan Albers will be the driver in the cockpit of the Cosworth-powered chassis following a seat fitting at the team’s factory on Thursday. The car is Minardi’s first entirely new machine in three years.
"The fact that we are able to test the first Minardi Cosworth PS05 chassis today is a testament to the overwhelming dedication and single-minded determination of everyone at the factory, as well as the team's suppliers and technical partners,” said team principal Paul Stoddart. “This test marks the culmination of a massive effort, and I would like to thank all of those involved for making it possible."
Stoddart has promised the PS05 will be a huge step forward on its predecessor, particularly in terms of aerodynamics. However, the team will be taking something of a gamble in entering a virtually untested car at Imola.
Their immediate target will be Jordan, who have been busy developing their EJ15 at Paul Ricard this week. At the last round of the 2005 season in Bahrain, Minardi’s fastest race lap was within seven tenths of a second of Jordan’s.
