Tyrrell 023

The Tyrrell 023 was a Formula One car designed by Harvey Postlethwaite and Mike Gascoyne for the Tyrrell team for use in the 1995 Formula One season. Driven by Ukyo Katayama and Mika Salo, the best finish achieved by the 023 was fifth (twice).

Tyrrell 023
Mika Salo driving the Tyrrell 023 at the 1995 British Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorTyrrell
Designer(s)Harvey Postlethwaite (Technical Director)
Mike Gascoyne (Chief Designer)
Jean-Claude Migeot (Head of Aerodynamics)
Predecessor022
Successor024
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisCarbon fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Suspension (front)Tyrrell Hydrolink
Suspension (rear)Tyrrell Hydrolink
EngineYamaha OX10C, 2,996 cc (182.8 cu in), 72° V10, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionTyrrell transverse 6-speed sequential semi-automatic
FuelAgip
TyresGoodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsNokia Tyrrell Yamaha
Notable drivers3. Ukyo Katayama
3. Gabriele Tarquini
4. Mika Salo
Debut1995 Brazilian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF.Laps
17000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

Design and development

Designed by Harvey Postlethwaite and Mike Gascoyne,[1] the 023 featured a new hydraulic-controlled front suspension system, known as "Hydrolink", which Tyrrell had been testing since February 1995.[2] It used a 3-litre version of the Yamaha V10, which had been raced the previous year.[1]

The team retained all its 1994 backers including Mild Seven, BP, Fondmetal, Calbee, Club Angle and Zent. This was partly helped by the fact that new team driver Mika Salo brought $3 million with him to the team.[3] Ukyo Katayama, who had driven for the team since 1993, remained on the roster.

After an impressive 1994 showing with the simple but effective 022, 1995 was a huge disappointment for the team. The 023 chassis proved to be very mediocre and the team's innovative "Hydrolink" suspension was rendered ineffective due to its deficiencies. The Hydrolink suspension was eventually removed from the 023 at mid-season.[2]

Racing history

Ukyo Katayama driving the 023 at the 1995 British Grand Prix

Salo was impressive in his first full season of F1, scoring all of the team's total of five points. He could have done even better, holding third place at the season-opening Brazilian GP before spinning back to seventh due to cramp. He was also set for points at the next race, but was taken out by backmarker Aguri Suzuki. As such, the Finn had to wait until the second half of the season to score his first points.

Katayama, on the other hand, proved to be very disappointing after a promising effort in 1994. He was disadvantaged by the new higher cockpit sides as a short driver, but was still outclassed by his inexperienced team-mate. Test driver Gabriele Tarquini stood in for Katayama at the Nürburgring after the Japanese was injured in an acrobatic startline crash at Estoril. After his retirement in 1997, the Japanese revealed that he had suffered a cancer on his back, which, although not harmful, had an adverse effect on his competitiveness.[4]

Tyrell eventually finished ninth in the Constructors' Championship, with five points, behind Footwork due to Gianni Morbidelli's third-place finish at Adelaide.

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Pts. WCC
1995 Nokia Tyrrell Yamaha Yamaha OX10C
V10
G BRA ARG SMR ESP MON CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR EUR PAC JPN AUS 5 9th
Ukyo Katayama 3 Ret 8 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 7 Ret Ret NC DNS 14 Ret Ret
Gabriele Tarquini 14
Mika Salo 4 7 Ret Ret 10 Ret 7 15 8 Ret Ret 8 5 13 10 12 6 5

References

  • Henry, Alan (ed.) (1995). AUTOCOURSE 1995-96. Hazleton Publishing. pp. 46–47. ISBN 1-874557-36-5.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  1. "Tyrrell 023". STATS F1. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  2. "Tyrrell tests exciting new suspension". GrandPrix.com. 20 February 1995. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  3. "Tyrrell confirms Salo and Nokia". GrandPrix.com. 20 March 1995. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  4. "The Rising Son: Ukyo Katayama's 1994". F1 Rejects. Archived from the original on 25 October 2006. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
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