The Car – BGP 001
The Brawn BGP 001 was first shown and tested in Silverstone on 6th March 2009. The car had very little time to test, just completing tests at the Circuit de Catalunya on 9th-12th March and Circuit de Jerez on 15th – 18th March.
Despite Honda withdrawing from Formula One they had already begun development early into the season on the 2009 car, choosing to focus their energies on the 2009 season where the would benefit from a major regulation change to the design of the car, causing all teams to radically redesign. This development continued and the car became the Brawn BGP 001. Despite little testing Brawn GP topped the time sheets in both locations.
However the rear diffuser on the Brawn BGP 001 is currently the subject of a FIA appeal as other teams complain that Brawn, Williams and Toyota have all designed illegal diffusers giving them an unfair advantage. Stewards at the Australian Grand Prix cleared the cars to race but the FIA will make a final ruling on 14th April 2009
Technical Specification
Chassis
| Construction | Moulded carbon fibre and honeycomb composite structure |
| Suspension | Wishbone and pushrod activated torsion springs and rockers |
| Dampers | Sachs |
| Wheels | BBS forged magnesium |
| Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza |
| Brakes | Brembo calipers |
| Brake discs/pads | Carbon/Carbon |
| Steering | Power assisted rack and pinion |
| Steering wheel | Carbon fibre construction |
| Electronics | FIA standard ECU and FIA homologated electronic and electrical system |
Transmission
| Gearbox | Seven speed unit with carbon composite maincase |
| Gear selection | Sequential, semi-automatic, hydraulic activation |
| Clutch | Carbon plate |
Dimensions
| Overall length | 4700mm |
| Overall height | 950mm |
| Overall width | 1800mm |
Mercedes-Benz FO108W Engine
| Type | Mercedes-Benz FO108W |
| Capacity | 2.4 litres |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Maximum rpm | 18,000 (FIA regulatory limit for 2009) |
| Bank angle | 90° |
| Piston bore | 98mm (FIA regulation) |
| No of valves | 32 |
| Weight | 95kg (minimum FIA regulation weight) |
| Fuel | Mobil High Performance Unleaded (5.75% bio fuel) |
| Lubricants | Mobil 1 |
