Caterham CT03 (Charles Pic), Malaysia, 2013
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Category | Formula One | ||||||||||
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Constructor | Caterham | ||||||||||
Designer(s) | Mark Smith (Technical Director) | ||||||||||
Predecessor | Caterham CT01 | ||||||||||
Successor | Caterham CT05 | ||||||||||
Technical specifications | |||||||||||
Chassis | Carbon-fibre monocoque | ||||||||||
Suspension (front) | Twin non-parallel wishbone, pushrod actuated | ||||||||||
Suspension (rear) | Twin non-parallel wishbone, pullrod actuated | ||||||||||
Length | Over 5,000 mm (197 in) | ||||||||||
Width | 1,800 mm (71 in) | ||||||||||
Height | 950 mm (37 in) | ||||||||||
Wheelbase | Over 3,000 mm (118 in) | ||||||||||
Engine | Renault RS27-2013 2,400 cc (146 cu in) V8 (90°) naturally aspirated + KERS mid-mounted | ||||||||||
Electric motor | Red Bull Technology KERS recovered by MGU-K | ||||||||||
Transmission | Red Bull Technology 7-speed + 1 reverse semi-automatic gearbox | ||||||||||
Power | 750 hp (559 kW) + 80 hp (60 kW) KERS | ||||||||||
Weight | 642 kg (1,415 lb) including driver | ||||||||||
Fuel | Total Excellium 94.25% unleaded gasoline + 5.75% biofuel | ||||||||||
Lubricants | Total Quartz 9000 | ||||||||||
Brakes | Hitco carbon brake discs, Carbon Industrie pads and AP Racing 6-piston calipers | ||||||||||
Tyres |
Pirelli P Zero (dry) and Cinturato (wet) BBS wheels |
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Competition history | |||||||||||
Notable entrants | Caterham F1 Team | ||||||||||
Notable drivers | 20. Charles Pic 21. Giedo van der Garde |
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Debut | 2013 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
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The Caterham CT03 is a Formula One racing car designed by Mark Smith for the Caterham F1 team. It was used during the 2013 Formula One season, where it was driven by Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde. The car was unveiled on the eve of testing for the 2013 season at the Circuito de Jerez.
The first chassis was assembled in early October 2012, completed on January 30 and launched on February 5. The CT03 aroused controversy during pre-season testing. Lotus technical director James Allison observed details of the car's exhaust outlet that he believed contravened Article 5.8.4 of the technical regulations, that prohibits the use of bodywork within a defined area with respect to the exhaust outlet. The FIA later deemed this system to be illegal. After driving the car during FP1 at Bahrain, Heikki Kovalainen stated the car was basically the previous year's car with nothing done to it.
After the initial three races of the season the CT03 received a major upgrade to improve handling and performance. The most noticeable part of this was the introduction of a vanity panel over the stepped-nose. Later in the season the vanity panel was removed again and the car was raced for the rest of the season without it.
Caterham F1 went into the 2013 season with livery changes. The white-yellow-white stripe in the front section was replaced by solid green with white accent as Caterham F1's main colour while the white-yellow stripe on the rear section was also retained. The green became brighter unlike previous seasons when dark green was the team's main colour.
() (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)