Caterham CT03
Caterham CT03 (Charles Pic), Malaysia, 2013
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorCaterham
Designer(s)Mark Smith (Technical Director)
John Iley (Performance Director)
Lewis Butler (Chief Designer)
Elliot Dason-Barber (Head of Vehicle Dynamics and R&D)
Marianne Hinson (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorCaterham CT01
SuccessorCaterham CT05
Technical specifications[1][2]
ChassisCarbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)Twin non-parallel wishbone, pushrod actuated
Suspension (rear)Twin non-parallel wishbone, pullrod actuated
LengthOver 5,000 mm (197 in)
Width1,800 mm (71 in)
Height950 mm (37 in)
WheelbaseOver 3,000 mm (118 in)
EngineRenault RS27-2013 2,400 cc (146 cu in) V8 (90°) naturally aspirated + KERS mid-mounted
Electric motorRed Bull Technology KERS recovered by MGU-K
TransmissionRed Bull Technology 7-speed + 1 reverse semi-automatic gearbox
Power750 hp (559 kW) + 80 hp (60 kW) KERS
Weight642 kg (1,415 lb) including driver
FuelTotal Excellium 94.25% unleaded gasoline + 5.75% biofuel
LubricantsTotal Quartz 9000
BrakesHitco carbon brake discs, Carbon Industrie pads and AP Racing 6-piston calipers
TyresPirelli P Zero (dry) and Cinturato (wet)
BBS wheels
Competition history
Notable entrantsCaterham F1 Team
Notable drivers20. France Charles Pic[3]
21. Netherlands Giedo van der Garde[4]
Debut2013 Australian Grand Prix
Last event2013 Brazilian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
190000

The Caterham CT03[5] is a Formula One racing car designed by Mark Smith and Lewis Butler for the Caterham F1 team. It was used during the 2013 Formula One season, where it was driven by Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde.[3][4] The car was unveiled on the eve of testing for the 2013 season at the Circuito de Jerez.[5]

Design

The first chassis was assembled in early October 2012, completed on 30 January and launched on 5 February. The CT03 aroused controversy during pre-season testing. Lotus technical director James Allison observed details of the car's exhaust outlet that he believed contravened Article 5.8.4 of the technical regulations,[6] that prohibits the use of bodywork within a defined area with respect to the exhaust outlet.[7] The FIA later deemed this system to be illegal.[8] After driving the car during FP1 at Bahrain, Heikki Kovalainen stated the car was basically the previous year's car with nothing done to it.

After the initial three races of the season the CT03 received a major upgrade to improve handling and performance. The most noticeable part of this was the introduction of a vanity panel over the stepped-nose. Later in the season the vanity panel was removed again and the car was raced for the rest of the season without it.

Livery

Caterham F1 went into the 2013 season with livery changes. The white-yellow-white stripe in the front section was replaced by solid green with white accent as Caterham F1's main colour while the white-yellow stripe on the rear section was also retained. The green became brighter unlike previous seasons when dark green was the team's main colour.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers Grands Prix Points WCC
AUS MAL CHN BHR ESP MON CAN GBR GER HUN BEL ITA SIN KOR JPN IND ABU USA BRA
2013 Caterham F1 Team Renault RS27-2013 P Charles Pic 16 14 16 17 17 Ret 18 15 17 15 Ret 17 19 14 18 Ret 19 20 Ret 0 11th
Giedo van der Garde 18 15 18 21 Ret 15 Ret 18 18 14 16 18 16 15 Ret Ret 18 19 18

References

  1. ^ "Caterham F1 Team - The Car". Caterhamf1.com. Archived from the original on 6 September 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  2. ^ "Caterham CT03 Renault". f1technical.net. F1Technical.net. 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Marussia driver Charles Pic switches to Caterham for 2013". BBC Sport. BBC Sport. 23 November 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Van der Garde to race for Caterham". GPUpdate.net. GPUpdate. 1 February 2013. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  5. ^ a b Collantine, Keith (21 January 2013). "Caterham CT03 to debut at start of Jerez test". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  6. ^ Noble, Jonathan (6 February 2013). "Caterham shrugs off Lotus's suggestion of illegal exhaust". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  7. ^ "Formula 1 Technical Regulations — Engines and KERS". formula1.com. Formula One Administration. Archived from the original on 15 January 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  8. ^ Benson, Andrew (19 February 2013). "Williams and Caterham exhaust designs deemed 'illegal'". BBC F1. BBC. Retrieved 19 February 2013.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Caterham CT03.
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