This interview was taken at the R23s Technical launch at Paul Ricard in February 2003, The format included a scripted technical briefing followed by a open Q&A session.

Jean-Jacque His comments

This is the first completed job we’ve done this joint team,

This was the way to go despite the difficulties

Has the basis principles of the 2002 engine

Reducing CofG creates vibe and structural problems

New block from previous years very open V Angle especially where upper and lower part so the engine mate together puts a lot of the stress on the crankshaft and pistons, so we had re do that completely we looked at suing new materials s so that’s a significant change

“Completely new from fuel cell backwards”

The Vibration problems with this design also affected the valves, we have redesigned this area as to overcome the problem, the way the valve are driven is completely and result of 18 moths and a radical design

Q: CofG benefit of wide angle engine
JJHis: its difficult to say, there’s a difference of 5-6 cm