Tyrrell 003 F1 car
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Constructor: | Tyrrell |
Designer: | Derek Gardner |
Chassis: | Aluminium monocoque |
Engine: | Cosworth DFR V8 |
Wheelbase: | 2536 mm |
Mass: | 560 kg |
Tire: | Goodyear |
Max Power: | 440 bhp at 11000 rpm |
Max Speed: | 180 mph (290 kmh) |
The Tyrrell 003 is a racing car of the former British Formula 1 team Tyrrell. Together with the largely identical Tyrrell 002 and Tyrrell 004 in the 1970s.
History
Tyrrell formed a model family, which followed in 1971 on the presented in the previous prototype Tyrrell 001. The family 002/003/004 established the reputation of Tyrrell as one of the leading racing car designers of their time. The 003 was just like its sister models unique. This was exclusively used by Jackie Stewart. The 003 was the most successful car in the 002/003/004 model family, winning half of the World Championship races it was used to. With him Jackie Stewart won the 1971 drivers' championship. This year, Tyrrell also became a constructor.
Tyrrell regularly called his racing cars a continuous three-digit number code. Until 005, the name did not refer to a series, but to individual chassis. The 002, the 003 and the 004 were therefore each unique piece. In technical terms, however, they were almost identical. Although Tyrrell in the course of regular development sometimes initially equipped only one of the cars with a new technical solution; the other vehicles, however, moved regularly within weeks.
The Tyrrell Racing was a pure customer team, the chassis from Matra combined with Cosworth engines. As Matra for the 1970 season, the further chassis delivery to Tyrrell dependent on the use of French engines, Ken Tyrrell ended the relationship with Matra. With no other competitive customer chassis available, he decided to design his own racing car. After a brief transition period with March's chassis, the first prototype, the Tyrrell 001, was operational in August 1970. The by Derek Gardner designed in great secrecy car was quick, but had numerous teething problems, including lack of oil and fuel supply, but also included reliability problems in the mechanical field. Based on the 001 Gardner designed the model family 002/003/004. They were evolved and improved versions of the 001, which they still very much resembled.
The Tyrrell 003 had an aluminium monocoque, which was formed of stronger aluminium sheets than its predecessor. The monocoque was 10 cm longer than that of the 001 and offered more elbow room. it corresponded to the extent the Tyrrell 002. The only difference between Stewart's 003 and 002 concerned the length of the vehicle: Stewart's car was extended in 1971 in individual race by additional spacers. The roll bar behind the driver had been strengthened.
In addition, Gardner had revised the front suspension. Instead of two-part wishbone now a one-piece construction was used. track, front, 63 in (160 cm); rear, 63-65 in (160-165 cm). The brake system was revised during the 1971 season; at some races there were double disc brakes from Girling. For some races, Tyrrell eventually experimented with coolers built into the rear wings. Normally, however, it remained at the front coolers, which were in the car's nose. As drive Tyrrell continued to use the well-established Cosworth DFV twin ohc V8 engine with 3.0 litre displacement; the power transmission took over a five-speed gearbox from Hewland (FG40). However, Tyrrell was one of Cosworth's preferred customers. While most of the DFV engines made about 435 hp, the Tyrrell drivers were specially reworked versions available, which gave 10 to 15 hp more.
The body initially corresponded largely to that of 001. In the course of 1971, however, changed some attachments. For the Grand Prix of the Netherlands, Gardner introduced a plastic scoop that was installed above the engine. It was mostly painted black; but at some races she also received a blue livery. In France, the 003 received a new front spoiler, which stretched over the entire width of the vehicle and should direct the air over the front wheels. 002 was adapted at the following race in the UK.
The Tyrrell 003 was Jackie Stewart's car. Stewart drove it from the Grand Prix of Spain in April 1971 to the German Grand Prix in July 1972. During this time, the 003 was reported to 16 World Championship races (10 in the 1971 season and 6 in the 1972 season), plus three races without world Championship status.
Jackie Stewart's Tyrrell 003 was the dominant car of the 1971 season. Stewart won six of the 11 World Championship races of the year, including the first race of the 003 in Spain. Apart from that, there were only two failures Austria and Italy in addition came a fifth and an eleventh place. Given the superiority of the 003 Ken Tyrrell's team was suspected of using a non-compliant car. In France the inspectors took fuel samples but found no irregularities. After racing in the UK, the engine of the 003 was sealed and inspected by experts; it was thought Tyrrell would use Cosworth engines with increased displacement. Again, there were no complaints in the result. At the end of the year, Stewart won the drivers' championship superior. He had 62 World Championship points, 56 of which in 10 races with the 003. Ronnie Peterson, the championship second, had 30 points less than Stewart.
In the 1972 season Stewart drove in 003 two victories, namely at the inaugural race in Argentina and in the penultimate race of the car in the UK. From summer 1972 Stewart started in the newly constructed Tyrrell 005, the sister model of 006. Like the 002, the 003 remained in the factory.
