Cosworth says its new CA2010 engine has passed its first test by proving reliable through 750 miles of running at Valencia this week.
The legendary British company is returning to Formula 1 as an engine supplier in 2010 after three years away, providing power units for Williams and the sport’s four new entrants Virgin Racing, Lotus, USF1 and Campos Meta.
Only Williams was present at the first pre-season test in Valencia, but Cosworth was pleased with the engine’s initial reliability – the only problem being a minor software glitch with the throttle control that affected Rubens Barrichello on Monday.
Mark Gallagher, general manager of Cosworth’s F1 project, added that the company’s technicians are already forging a strong working relationship with their Williams counterparts.
“Our work with Williams has been very important in order to collect data, driver feedback and to gauge the initial results from the marriage of the new CA2010 engine to the all-new FW32 chassis,” he said.
“Our first measure of performance was always going to be durability and the fact that Rubens and Nico completed over 1,200kms between them showed that engine reliability has been in line with our expectations.
“We also looked at the overall success of the installation, seeing how the engine works together with the Williams transmission and checking all associated systems, pressures, cooling, temperatures.
“From a human point of view, Valencia was the first time that our dedicated team of track support technicians and engineers worked as an integrated part of the Williams team, which is a key aspect of the working relationship, so in that regard it was an important milestone.
“We now look forward to next week’s Jerez test where we can take our technical programme with the team to the next level.”
Virgin Racing will join the testing action at Jerez next Wednesday after shaking down its VR-01 car at Silverstone this week.
“It was very rewarding to see the Virgin-Cosworth VR-01 unveiled this week and to welcome the first of our new teams into Formula 1,” said Gallagher.
“We have developed a strong working relationship with Virgin Racing over the last few months and I’d like to congratulate Nick Wirth and his design team for the results of their efforts.
“We are doing all we can to support them from the outset of their F1 activities and when they join Williams in Jerez next week we will have two teams on track which will greatly enhance our pre-season activities.”

source[www.itv-f1.com]

 

Looking over your shoulder at Cosworth?? That's about right.

Lewis is passed you already!!