Minardi to benefit from new steering system.

KL Minardi Asiatech today announces that it is to develop power-assisted steering for its latest PS02 Formula One cars in co-operation with technical partner, Spillner Engineering of Germany (Duesseldorf).

The Closed Centre Valve (CCV) system, so-called because the valve that controls the hydraulic working pressure of the unit (up to 150 bar) remains closed when not inoperation, requires less power consumption compared with previous Formula One steering systems.

KL Minardi Asiatech Deputy Technical Director and Head of R&D, Dr John Davis, was previously involved with CCV steering during its developmental phase in the early 1990s, and most recently, in 2001.

The system, which employs conventional rotary valve technology and is the subject of a TRW patent, has been significantly developed and refined over the intervening decade, with its use deemed particularly appropriate under the latest Formula One technical regulations.

Aside from the obvious benefit of reducing driver fatigue in the course of a Grand Prix, particularly around tight, twisting circuits such as Monaco and Hungary, CCV steering boasts the following attributes compared with other, hydraulically assisted, power-steering systems:

[a] Provides improved and reliable steering feedback
[b] Can be used in central hydraulic systems
[c] Does not require additional valves (flow-limiting, throttle, pressure reduction)
[d] Reduces power consumption
[e] Offers valve characteristic adjustability
[f] Employs proven technology

"KL Minardi Asiatech is pleased to have entered an alliance with Spillner that will allow us to incorporate the very latest power-steering technology on the PS02 chassis during the course of the coming season," comments Davis.

Today's announcement marks the first of several significant technical developments due to be introduced by the team this year.