2009 F1 season: the new Toyota TF109
The Panasonic Toyota Racing F1 Team unveiled this morning in Cologne, Germany, their new single-seater for the 2009 season, the TF109. The new car features as expected wider front wings and narrower rear wings among other modifications compared to last year’s TF108. Despite the TF109’s different appearance, Panasonic Toyota Racing’s ambitious goals remain, as Chairman and Team Principal Tadashi Yamashina stated: “Our target this year is to fight to win the first race for Toyota in Formula 1.”
TF109 is the sequel to the successful TF108, which once again established Panasonic Toyota Racing as a major player. TF108’s roll of honour included two podiums, one front row start and, with 56, more points than in 2006 (35pts) and 2007 (13pts) combined. A Toyota was in the top 10 on the starting grid for 14 of the 18 Grands Prix, finishing in the points 12 times, with nine top-six finishes.
President John Howett said during the presentation: “After eight years in Formula 1 we have gained a huge amount of knowledge and improved considerably. There are many elements of our team which are at the very highest level so the challenge now is to fill any gaps and ensure the entire organisation is performing at the very top. Then we must put all the elements together and deliver the success we are all fighting so hard for.”
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Tadashi Yamashina added: “In my opinion Toyota has one of the best driver line-ups in Formula 1 and I am excited to see what they can do with the TF109. Both drivers proved last season that if we give them a competitive car they are capable of fighting with the best in the world, so our challenge this year is to deliver a car which will allow them to do this more often.”
Panasonic Toyota TF109 Technical Specifications:
- Monocoque: Moulded carbon fibre and honeycomb construction.
- Fuel tank: ATL safety cell
- Suspension: Carbon fibre double wishbone arrangement, with carbon fibre trackrod and pushrod.
- Dampers: Penske
- Wheels: BBS forged magnesium
- Tyres: Bridgestone Potenza
- Brakes: Toyota/Brembo callipers, Brembo master cylinders, Hitco material (carbon/carbon)
- Steering: Toyota power-assisted steering. Toyota carbon fibre steering wheel with Toyota / Magneti Marelli instruments
- Driver’s seat: Carbon fibre
- Restraints: Takata
- HANS device: Hubbard-Downing
- Electronics: Toyota, Magneti Marelli plus McLaren Electronic Systems ECU (as required by FIA rules)
- Transmission: 7-speed unit plus reverse
RVX-09 Engine Technical Specifications:
- Cylinders: 8
- Capacity: 2,398cc
- Horsepower: Approximately 740bhp
- Revolutions: Maximum 18,000rpm (as required by FIA rules)
- Valve actuation: Pneumatic
- Throttle actuation: Hydraulic
- Spark Plugs: DENSO
- Fuel: Esso
- Lubricants: Esso