Toyota F1 Launch New TF109

In an effort to save some money ahead of their 2009 Formula 1 campaign, Panasonic Toyota Racing have opted for a virtual launch of their TF109 car. As expected, the new machinery features a completely new aerodynamic look (higher and tighter rear wing vs. wider front wing), as a result of the latest changes introduced by the FIA in terms of aero packages.

Also, Toyota have announced a new partnership for the 2009 season. Toyota Motorsport GmbH will join forces with real estate company RE/MAX Europe, as a result of which the company logo will be present on “the overalls of all Panasonic Toyota Racing drivers, the pit crew helmets, pit gantry and other team branding platforms”. At the same time, Panasonic will continue as title sponsor for the Toyota F1 team.

“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,” said Toyota's team principal Tadashi Yamashina.

“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,” added the Toyota president John Howett.

Both Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock will try to take the TF109 to Toyota's first win in the Formula 1 championship. The two drivers have scored one podium each throughout the 2008 season and will be looking to improve their performances this year, while also helping their team to advance higher than its 5th place in the past campaign.

“I have now spent longer racing for Toyota in Formula 1 than any other driver and I have seen the huge progress that has been made since I joined in 2004. It has been a long journey and we have had ups and downs but we have never given up or lost faith,” said Trulli.

“If you look back at the cars I have been racing for the last five years they have all been quite different, with the 2004 Jordan, then Champ Car, GP2 and the Toyota TF108, and I have been competitive in each of them. That shows how quickly I can adapt to a different car so I don’t have any concerns at all about adjusting to the 2009-style Formula 1 cars,” added teammate Glock.