Minardi M189

Minardi M189
Category Formula One
Constructor Minardi
Designer(s) Nigel Cowperthwaite
Predecessor M188B
Successor M190
Technical specifications[1]
Chassis Carbon fibre monocoque
Axle track Front: 1,800 mm (71 in)
Rear: 1,640 mm (65 in)
Wheelbase 2,927 mm (115.2 in)
Engine Ford Cosworth DFZ 3,494 cc (213.2 cu in), 90° V8, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission manual
Fuel Agip
Tyres Pirelli
Competition history
Notable entrants Minardi Team SpA
Notable drivers Italy Pierluigi Martini
Spain Luis Perez-Sala
Italy Paolo Barilla
Debut 1989 Mexican Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF.Laps
15000
Constructors' Championships 0
Drivers' Championships 0

The Minardi M189 was a Formula One car, designed for Minardi by Nigel Cowperthwaite for use in the 1989 season. Introduced partway through the year and driven by Pierluigi Martini and Luis Perez-Sala, it scored several points finishes for the team. Updated as the M189B for the 1990 season, it was used for the first two races of the year before being replaced by the Minardi M190.

Design and development

The Minardi M189 was designed by Nigel Cowperthwaite. Running on Pirelli tyres, it was powered by a Ford Cosworth DFZ V8,[1] the same type of engine that had been used the previous season in the Minardi M188.[2]

Racing history

The Minardi M189 made its first appearance partway through the 1989 Formula One season at the Mexican Grand Prix, where it was driven by Pierluigi Martini and Luis Perez-Sala, both of whom had driven for the team the previous year. Martini qualified in 22nd but retired from the race with engine problems. Sala failed to qualify for the race, and this proved to be an ongoing problem for the Spaniard. He failed to qualify for three more races.[1]

After making the car's debut in Mexico, Martini failed to complete the next three races but at the British Grand Prix not only finished, but scored two points for placing fifth. Sala backed this up with sixth at the same race, which was his best finish of the year. Martini finished fifth again in Portugal, where he had qualified fifth on the grid, and sixth (from third on the grid) in Australia.[1]

Minardi finished the year with six points for 11th in the Constructor's Championship, while Martini was equal 14th, alongside Johnny Herbert, in the Driver's Championship with five points.[3]

When the 1990 season began, Minardi's new car was still being completed so the M189 was updated to an M189B spec and pressed into service for the first two races of the year. Martini qualified on the front row for the United States Grand Prix but went on to finish seventh. He placed ninth in the following race in Brazil, the car's last grand prix[1] before the Minardi M190 was introduced at San Marino.[4]

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key)

Year Team Chassis Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Points WCC
1989 Minardi Team SpA Minardi M189 Ford DFZ V8 P BRA SMR MON MEX USA CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR ESP JPN AUS 6 11th
Italy Pierluigi Martini Ret Ret Ret Ret 5 9 Ret 9 7 5 Ret 6
Italy Paolo Barilla Ret
Spain Luis Perez-Sala DNQ Ret Ret DNQ 6 DNQ Ret 15 8 12 Ret Ret DNQ
1990 SCM Minardi Team Minardi M189B Ford DFZ V8 P USA BRA SMR MON CAN MEX FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR ESP JPN AUS 0 NC
Italy Pierluigi Martini 7 9
Italy Paolo Barilla Ret Ret

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Stats F1. "Minardi M189". Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  2. ↑ Stats F1. "Minardi M188". Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  3. ↑ Stats F1. "1989 World Championship Result". Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  4. ↑ Stats F1. "Minardi M190". Retrieved 23 May 2016.
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