Category | Formula One | ||||||||||
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Constructor | Virgin Racing | ||||||||||
Designer(s) | Nick Wirth (Chief Designer) | ||||||||||
Predecessor | Virgin VR-01 | ||||||||||
Successor | Marussia MR01 | ||||||||||
Technical specifications | |||||||||||
Chassis | carbon-fibre construction monocoque and nosebox | ||||||||||
Suspension (front) | carbon-fibre wishbones with titanium flexure joints, aluminium alloy uprights, Penske dampers | ||||||||||
Suspension (rear) | as front | ||||||||||
Engine | Cosworth CA2011 2,400 cc (146.5 cu in) 90° V8, limited to 18,000 RPM, naturally aspirated, mid-mounted | ||||||||||
Transmission | Seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox with reverse gear, Aluminium construction, "seamless shift", electronically controlled hydraulic differential | ||||||||||
Weight | 640 kg (1,411 lb) (including driver) | ||||||||||
Fuel | BP | ||||||||||
Tyres |
Pirelli P Zero BBS Wheels (front and rear): 13" |
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Competition history | |||||||||||
Notable entrants | Marussia Virgin Racing | ||||||||||
Notable drivers | 24. Timo Glock 25. Jérôme d'Ambrosio |
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Debut | 2011 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
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The Virgin MVR-02 is a Formula One racing car designed by Wirth Research for Marussia Virgin Racing, and used by them during the 2011 Formula One season. Like its predecessor, the Virgin VR-01, the MVR-02 was designed entirely with computational fluid dynamics, with Nick Wirth's design studio doubling their CFD capacity ahead of the 2011 season. The addition of the "M" in the car's chassis designation reflected the team's new owner, Russian sports car manufacturer Marussia Motors. The car was unveiled in London on 7 February 2011, and was driven during the racing season by returning driver Timo Glock and debutant Jérôme d'Ambrosio.
The MVR-02 followed the VR-01's design principle of exclusively using computational fluid dynamics instead of the more traditional windtunnel approach. The car did not use KERS; chief designer Nick Wirth commented that the gains offered by the system did not justify the expense in developing it. Instead, the team concentrated on improving the car's hydraulics and gearbox, both of which had been the frequent source of problems in 2010. After being forced to re-design the VR-01 when it was discovered the fuel tank was not large enough to finish races with a high fuel consumption, the MVR-02 was designed to be the same length as the original VR-01 chassis whilst retaining the full-size fuel tank. The air intake on the front of the nose was designed to resemble the one on Marussia's road car, the Marussia B2.
In June 2011 that Marussia Virgin Racing announced that they had ended their relationship with technical partner Nick Wirth and his company, Wirth Research, who designed their 2010 and 2011 cars. The reason cited was a disappointing start to their 2011 season.