Minardi M198

The Minardi M198 was the car with which the Minardi Formula One team used to compete in the 1998 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Minardi M198
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorMinardi
Designer(s)Gustav Brunner (Technical Director)
Gabriele Tredozi (Chief Engineer)
George Ryton (Chief Designer)
Mariano Alperin (Chief Aerodynamicist)
PredecessorM197
SuccessorM01
Technical specifications
Chassiscarbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Suspension (front)double wishbones, pushrod with coaxial spring/damper and torsion bar
Suspension (rear)double wishbones, pushrod with coaxial spring/damper and torsion bar
EngineFord JD Zetec-R, 3.0-litre, 72-degree V10, mid-engined
TransmissionMinardi six-speed longitudinal sequential semi-automatic
Power710 hp (529 kW) @ 15,000 rpm[1]
FuelElf or Texaco
TyresBridgestone
Competition history
Notable entrantsFondmetal Minardi Team
Notable drivers22. Japan Shinji Nakano
23. Argentina Esteban Tuero
Debut1998 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
16000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

Overview

For 1998, Minardi signed Shinji Nakano from Prost, and rookie Esteban Tuero.[2][3]

The M198 featured a Ford powered Cosworth V10 engine, upgrading from the previous seasons Hart V8. Tuero first tested the new engine in January 1998 at Mugello.[4] By February, Nakano had joined the team and was testing the car in Barcelona. However, despite optimism, Tuero had yet to be granted a super licence to compete in the 1998 season.[5][6] Tuero was eventually awarded his license by the FIA and upon starting the season at 19 years of age, he became the third-youngest ever Formula One driver at the time.[7]

At the first round of the 1998 season in Australia, Tuero managed to qualify in 17th position ahead of 1996 Monaco Grand Prix winner Olivier Panis, and both Tyrrells. However, ultimately the race would finish in a double retirement for the M198 - a feat repeated at the next round in Brazil. Nakano took the M198 to its first Grand Prix finish in Argentina.

Reliability was an issue with the M198, as were a number of accidents. The car failed to finish 18 times.[8] Tuero only finished four Grand Prix he entered, a 75% retirement rate.[9] Nakano suffered six retirements, meaning three Grand Prix where neither M198 passed the chequered flag. At the final race of the season in Japan, Tuero was involved in a collision with Tora Takagi which caused lesions across three spinal vertebrae. The debris from the accident was hit by Michael Schumacher, leading him to retire and Mika Hakkinen won the title.[10][11]

The highlight of the M198 was Nakano's 7th place finish at the 1998 Canadian Grand Prix. This led Minardi to finish ahead of Tyrrell in the 1998 Constructors' Championship, despite both teams failing to score any points.

Following the season, Minardi began utilising the M198 for testing ahead of 1999. Laurent Redon, Marc Gene and Italian F3 winner Donny Crevels all tested the M198 at Barcelona in December, 1998.[12] Gene would ultimately join the team for 1999, and drive the M01.[13]

Livery

The M198 had a significant livery change from its predecessor, running a new silver and blue paintjob. The car also featured a large number of sponsors, such as Fondmetal, Roces, Avex Group and Doimo.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Points WCC
1998 Minardi Ford V10 B AUS BRA ARG SMR ESP MON CAN FRA GBR AUT GER HUN BEL ITA LUX JPN 0 NC
Shinji Nakano Ret Ret 13 Ret 14 9 7 17 8 11 Ret 15 8 Ret 15 Ret
Esteban Tuero Ret Ret Ret 8 15 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 16 Ret Ret 11 Ret Ret

References
  1. "Engine Ford Cosworth • STATS F1".
  2. "Nakano Signs For Minardi". Crash.net. 30 January 1998. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  3. "Tuero signs for Minardi". Grandprix.com. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  4. "Minardi test their new car M. Schumacher ready to solve Villeneuve problems M. Schumacher worries over 1998 tyres Mansell gets into ice racing". Atlas F1. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  5. "Barcelona Testing - Minardi". Crash.net. 8 February 1998. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  6. "Tuero's superlicence". grandprix.com. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  7. Vigar, Simon (2008). Forza Minardi!: The Inside Story of the Little Team Which Took on the Giants ... Veloce Publishing. p. 57. ISBN 9781845841607.
  8. "Minardi M198". Stats F1. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  9. "Esteban Tuero F1 stats". GP Racing Stats. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  10. "Japanese GP, 1998". grandprix.com. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  11. "Injured Tuero Back On Sidelines". crash.net. 27 November 1998. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  12. "News wrap-up for last week's testing". Atlas F1. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  13. "F1 news 99-02-05". Motorsport. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  • AUTOCOURSE 1998-99, Henry, Alan (ed.), Hazleton Publishing Ltd. (1998) ISBN 1-874557-43-8


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