MF1 Racing Unveils 2006 Challenger
Silverstone, UK - MF1 Racing – the Formula One team
owned and operated by Midland Group – today unveiled
the car with which it will compete in the 2006 FIA F1 World
Championship: the Midland MF1 Toyota M16.
The all-new car – adorned in striking grey, red and
white livery – represents the first entry in the 56-year
history of the World Championship to race with a Russian motorsport
license.
"It has been an exciting, sometimes bumpy ride since
we accelerated our plans and became involved in F1 a year
earlier than expected," said Colin Kolles, Managing Director
of MF1 Racing. "But through all the ups and downs, we
maintained a clear vision of where want to be and, step by
step, we are getting there.
"We have restructured the company and refurbished our
headquarters as the first stage of our long-term plans. The
M16 car is 100% a product of MF1 Racing – solid proof
of our serious intentions. But even though we have invested
a great deal into building a brand-new car, we remain realistic
about the challenge we face as a private team against the
world’s top motor manufacturers.
"At this stage in our development, we are excited to
give opportunities to the young men and women who will become
the future of Formula 1. Technical Director James Key and
his team of engineers, who have designed and built the M16,
are those people. Their car, like the company as a whole,
is a platform for the future and will be continuously developed.
Our target for 2006 is consistent and visible progress compared
to our rivals, while maintaining the superb reliability record
that highlighted 2005. Special thanks should be given to our
technical partners, Toyota and Bridgestone, whose continued
support has made today possible.
"MF1 Racing’s drivers for the 2006 FIA F1 World
Championship season were confirmed as 2005 F1 Rookie of the
Year Tiago Monteiro from Portugal and Dutchman Christijan
Albers. Germans Markus Winkelhock and Adrian Sutil, as well
as Roman Rusinov from Russia, were introduced as the team’s
test drivers.
"Both Tiago and Christijan had outstanding rookie years
in 2005 and we believe this tandem forms a strong, competitive
partnership that will benefit us in our first season as MF1
Racing," added Kolles. "Our three test drivers have
all achieved considerable success in other formulae and we
are confident they have the potential to develop into successful
F1 drivers."
"The M16 is a completely new car," said James Key,
Technical Director of MF1 Racing. "Obviously, the information
we have gained from developing the EJ15B has gone into building
the M16, but it is significantly improved in so many ways
– mechanically, aerodynamically, even the way it is
packaged. We are very optimistic about the progress that lies
ahead."
"With the M16, we have made a significant leap forward
in every respect," said team owner Alex Shnaider, Chairman
and co-founder of Midland Group.
"I am very proud of the passion and ingenuity demonstrated
by our workforce and partners, who are the lifeblood of this
team. Everyone has worked extremely hard to make this car
a reality and I am confident that if we maintain this level
of commitment, we will continue to make further and more frequent
leaps forward in the years to come."
Shakedown testing of the Midland MF1 Toyota M16 is due to
take place at Silverstone on 03 Feb., followed by a four-day
test at Jerez beginning 07 Feb.
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