BlogF1

Rain showers interrupted the final day of testing at the Paul Ricard test in France today, but the poor weather did allow Toyota’s Jarno Trulli to gain some limelight at the top of the tables. With the teams running on the slightly faster Montreal configuration, everybody got a short chance to try out some set ups for the Canadian Grand Prix in three weeks time. The previous two days had been devoted to the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix, but requiring less downforce, Paul Ricard configuration had been adjusted slightly for today. Continue Reading

First Toyota are competitive and have dramatically improved the TF107 into the TF108, this year’s machine from Cologne. Then, after preliminary testing, Jarno Trulli decides that maybe the car isn’t so hot and the team need to work hard over the winter to get it up to speed. Meanwhile, team mate Timo Glock is just happy to be in Formula One. Shortly after quelling the excitement over a potentially competitive Toyota, Trulli then says that actually the car isn’t that bad and he hopes he can score regular points and aim towards regular podiums. An employee of the Japanese squad then flicks the switch on the back of Jarno’s neck again and he’s down about this season. And now, speaking from the Albert Park circuit in Australia, Trulli reckons the team can claim third in the constructors title. Seriously Jarno, can you make up your mind and stick to it, please. Continue Reading

On the final day of testing before the 2008 season begins, Toyota’s Jarno Trulli has put in a surprising quick lap and ended the winter season at the top of the timing sheets. The pace of the TF108 has been questionable and the squad have been a little inconsistent in pre-season testing, but this result will certainly buoy the team as they pack everything and head to Australia. Trulli’s team mate Timo Glock finished his day in eleventh, some 1.3s shy of the Italian’s pace. Continue Reading

The 2008 season will be Toyota’s seventh in Formula One and it could prove to be very important for the future of the squad. Since their inaugural season in 2002, the highly-funded team have have failed to score a victory and have only been on the podium four times, each occasion being a third place finish, 75% of which were during their most successful year to date - 2005. The bosses are looking very carefully at the team, weighing up the pros and cons of continued investment in what is little more than a mobile advertising board. Continue Reading

With the new Toyota TF108 launched, the employees at the Cologne headquarters have been busy discussing the 2008 car. The beleaguered squad seem confident that this year will see a turn around in the teams fortunes. I remain skeptical for now though, as this banter is thrown around every year, with added promises that they won’t do as badly as the year previous. And with a two season deadline to produce results, the pressure is on the Japanese team. Continue Reading

Toyota have unveiled their TF108 challenger today, the car they hope will aid a return to form for the Japanese team. After a disastrous 2007 campaign, Toyota looked to be in real trouble, compounded recently when the team principal was given two years to get results. However, today is not one for the team to look back, but one to look forward. Drivers Jarno Truilli and Timo Glock and test driver Kamui Kobayashi took the wraps off the new car at the teams headquarters in Cologne, presenting the 2008 machine to the media. Continue Reading

Even though Fernando Alonso has now officially announced his allegiance to Renault for the 2008 season, the driver market is still not complete with some teams yet to decide on their pilots. Force India are still mulling over their drivers trying to decide between Giancarlo Fisichella, Christian Klien, Franck Montagny and the plethora of test drivers they have on their books. Toyota are still to absolutely confirm Jarno Trulli for the seat alongside Timo Glock, and McLaren are hesitating while they choose from Heikki Kovalainen, Pedro De La Rosa or Gary Paffett. And of course, each team could still throw a spanner in the works and sign another young charger not yet mentioned. Continue Reading

Being one of the largest manufacturers of automobiles on the planet, you’d expect Toyota to be passionate about motor racing. You’d expect such a company to work tirelessly in the pursuit of speed and reliability in their racing cars. Let’s be honest, you’d expect them to be a winning team. But after launching their assault on Formula One in 2002, Toyota are yet to make a serious attempt at winning races on a regular basis. The team has been floundering towards the rear-end of the grid since its inception, and aside from a couple of brief flashes of speed, the Japanese squad is yet to show the passion and flare for racing that have seen other teams do so well for so many years. Continue Reading

A team with an enormous budget like Toyota should be winning championships and dominating the sport in Ferrari-esque style. Alas they are not quite there yet, but the other Japanese team - Honda - is showing signs of progress, competition is heating up and I’m sure the ever loyal Asian fans will be getting very excited. Continue Reading