Toyota Quitting F1

There have been rumblings of an impending pull-out from Formula 1 by Toyota for some time now, with the decision of Williams to drop its Toyota engine supply along with the lack of signing any Drivers for next year… And this speculation heightened with Bridgestone’s shock announcement of not renewing its exclusive tyre supply contract as Japan seems destined to shun Formula 1 for the first time in years…

The news of Toyota’s decision to Quit Formula One was first reported in the Mainichi newspaper yesterday as Toyota Executives began a four day meeting in Japan, which Toyota initially denied, but it has now been widely reported that Toyota indeed will cease its participation in F1 henceforth and its another very harsh day for Grand Prix racing, especially the hundreds of employees set to lose their jobs, although there’s NO word yet on what exactly will happen to the team as Toyota’s departure now makes way for the reconstituted Sauber F1 Team to become the sports 13th entry…

Lapping the Yas Marina F1 Circuit

James Allen has been providing some great videos on what the upcoming Abu Dabi Grand Prix on the Yas Island Marina circuit should look like along with some thoughts upon possible lap times. For a nighttime view, click here.

Toyota drivers familiarise themselves with Abu Dhabi track

Japan’s newest Star?

Perhaps you’ve already heard that Toyota’s Test Driver Kamui Kobayashi will once again fill-in for the injured Timo Glock at this weekend’s upcoming inaugural Abu Dabi Grand Prix, as I suspect the team is using this as a further evaluation towards a Full time ride in 2010?

GP Race Debut
Ok, so it was only his very first Formula 1 race ever, albeit the weekend being of a most trying circumstance, a la wet ‘N wooly weather… But I found Toyota new boy Kamui Kobayashi’s performance at Interlagos, a track he’d never driven on before, except for video games and a exploratory “Scooter” outing prior to Free Practice to be very impressive.

Yeah, so it was only Friday, but in the battle of the Japanese Drivers; F1 Debutant Kobayashi outdueled the more experienced Williams-Toyota Kazuki Nakajima, (14th) he also finished ahead of both of the Ferrari’s who languished at the bottom of the time sheets with Raikkonen and Fisichella P18, P20 respectively, while Kobayashi wound-up a fine 13th in his second official outing, having substituted for Timo Glock in Friday Free Practice at Suzuka, which was also held in the rain.

After both Toyota’s had passed thru “Qualie One,” ( Q1) Kamui was lying a very impressive P7 in Qualie Two before Vitantonnio Luzzi stuffed his Force India into the wall on an abysmally wet track, and after a 71min Red Flag delay, Kobayashi got as high as sixth before a last moment spin saw Fernando Alonso snatching tenth in the waning moments of the session, with Kobayashi ultimately ending up 11th; as Raikkonen qualified sixth, Nakajima finished ninth and Fisichella spun out in Q1 and would start dead last. (P20)

But it was the race where Kobayashi put on his best show by holding up none other then eventual 2009 World Champion Jenson Button while driving in sixth place, as ‘JENSE would later report that Kobayashi was driving INSANE! Before the Brit finally overtook him…

As Kobayashi would cycle as high as third place before pit stops would see him come out to tangle with and effectively “Nerf” off track his Japanese rival Kazuki Nakajima who ended up on in the tyre barriers… Yet it was refreshing to see Kamui fight so hard for every place on track as he made a very nice pass upon Fisichella for ninth place in the waning moments of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

So, how will the “Young Lion” fare this weekend? Whale it’s a brand new circuit that nobody’s ever driven on, so I’d guess that Kobayashi could possibly finish in the points, but we’ll see, eh?

Brazilian GP Debrief with Kamui Kobayashi

Was Glock really busy Texting?

Initial speculation surrounding Timo Glock’s “Suzuker Smash!” (Hmm? Don’t Y’all miss those days of the Honda Suzuker Specials, eh?) Saw SPEED’s Steve Matchett quickly claim that something musta broken; steering shaft or suspension failure, as NOBODY ever crashes there! With ‘Hobbo (David Hobbs) prattling on ‘N on ‘bout how strange of a place to crash, while Matchett thought perhaps the steering columns UV joint failed?

But further review showed how The Kimster’s (Raikkonen) steering input was nearly identical for that portion of the track… So it was somewhat surprising to hear during Friday Practice at Interlagos that Glock had admitted he’d simply taken his eyes off the road in order to look down at his steering wheel… Uhm? I’d like a Number Four with a Diet Coke… Err, you want me to switch the rear ride height to setting XBK//469 Tango-Charlie-Alpha-Oscar Eight-Six-Niner?

And thus apparently as he approached the straightaway, he looked down, his front wheel touched the wet grass and WHAM! Game Over… To which ‘Hobbo was quick to lambast as a bit of a silly mistake at his Professional level as a driver…

So repeat after me Y’all: Hands at 10 ‘N 2, eyes ON the road…

Glock out for Brazil, season?

Toyota’s Timo Glock has been diagnosed with a cracked vertebra in Germany and therefore will not be participating in this weekends Brazilian GP, as the team has announced that third driver Kamui Kobayashi will make his Formula 1 debut at San Paolo, substituting for the injured Glock, who’s status for Abu Dubai is still unknown…

Kobayashi fills in for Glock

Toyota’s Third Driver Kamui Kobayashi was called up to stand in for regular Race Driver Timo Glock who’s apparently come down with a bit of a nasty cold/fever, for Friday’s Japanese Grand Prix practice. (NO H1N1 Jokes here…) As team doctors have prescribed his taking the day off to recover in time for a hopeful return for Qualifying and the Race.

Having just completed watching yesterdays miserably WET practice session, I’d say that Timo picked a good day to stay in bed and let Kobayashi, the reigning GP2 Asia Champion entertain his Home crowd.

Interestingly, Toyota’s other Race Driver Jarno Trulli, was sick upon arriving in Japan on Wednesday, missing a team PR function, so hopefully the drivers just had a bout of Bad Sushi? Sorry ‘bout that… Couldn’t resist…

Toyota selling used F1 Bits

Apparently the Toyota Formula 1 team is getting a jump upon Friday’s imposing 2010 FIA Constructor’s Entry list debacle by having just announced that they’re now selling authentic used pieces of past Toyota Formula 1 race cars... As you could be the very first on your block to own a Toyota F1 rear wing, front nose, brake rotor, etc.

So is Toyota jumping the gun by having a Fire sale on used race car bits and will the other eight FOTA Teams follow suit?

Toyota F1 Team Sells Parts Online

Thanks to Tzan for bringing this to my attention...

Toyota F1 Team Shop

Toyota TF109

The Colone based Toyota F1 team chose to take the less traditional route towards being the second Formula 1 Constructor to launch its twenty-oh-nine challenger, by presenting the TF109 via le internets.

And while skipping the mandatory “Launchspeak,” its worth noting that Toyota has secured a new three year contract with title sponsor Panasonic along with a new major sponsorship deal with Re/Max’s European subsidiary...

Launch notes

Toyota still trying to catch up

The Panasonic Toyota team seems to be keeping a very low profile in regards to their Japanese rival Honda’s exit us from the sport, along with title sponsor Panasonic and parent company Toyota both feeling the squeeze from the current global economy.

Toyota has previously let it be known, albeit leaked by a team rival that it will not utilize KERS at next season’s Formula 1 opener in Melbourne, nor will it be hosting any glitzy launch parties. Yet instead letting Jarno Trulli do its talking with the Italian claiming that Toyota will be in good shape for next season.

Careful Jarno, I believe that Jense also tried drinking that Kool-Aid!

Trulli hopes to close gap

Holy Toe-Chester Batman!

In what seems to have become a yearly tradition… Look for more pomp ‘N circumstance at this year’s British Grand Prix… Which in year’s past has seen the Jaguar team run with Terminator T3 livery, Diamond encrusted racing cars… With supposedly hurkin’ HUGE jewel’s being mysteriously lost in silly Ocean’s 29 movie tie-in’s… While trying to upstage the throng ‘O Star Wars Storm Troopers in the Principality, While now we’ll have to watch out for grappling hooks, jet powered cars and men running about in spandex tights and coloured capes… (Careful! NO Sir Maxxum jokes here, eh?) As Gotham City, nee Silverstone is set to cast that mythical spotlight in the sky crying’ for the legendary Caped Crusaders help… As The Penguin, a.k.a. Emperor Bernardo and his whipping boy Sir Maxxum are on the prowl in BLOODY Towcester…

As AZ Bureau Chief Mary Jane has just forwarded the following story about Batman hookin’ up with Toyota this weekend to (Over-hype) promote the upcoming British release of the newest Batman flick; The Dark Night.

HMM? Do I dare ponder whose Batman and who’s the Boy Wanderer at Toyota?

Toyota’s melting pot?

According to published reports, RASSCAR’s current BAD BOY Kyle “Shrub” Busch has announced that he will test a Toyota F1 racing car in Japan later this year and would like to potentially race in Formula 1 before he’s 30.

Busch who’s currently 23yr’s old, drives the M & M’s Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing and is known to prefer the regular black M ‘N M’s, although he also enjoys the NUTS type too…

But inquiring minds want to know if his hands will slip off of the steering wheel, even though the candy manufacturer claims that they melt in your mouth, NOT in your hands!

Toyota TF108

While the top brass in Tokyo are applying pressure to their Colone brethren, Toyota was also busy unveiling this year’s Formula 1 challenger, the TF108, with all of the customary sound bites about making a large step forward, desiring to score race wins and ultimately garner World Championships. “Oh, what a feeling!”

Novel Idea

So how just does “Juan” go about motivating its employees? If you’re the Japanese giant, a.k.a. Toyota, the world’s Number One automobile manufacturer, it’s simple. You give your charges a mandate. (Ship out or Shape Up!) Which is exactly what the companies mucky-mucks in Tokyo have done to the companies Colone based Formula 1 squad, telling Team Principal Tadashi Yamashina He’s got until 2010 to turn around the fortunes of the struggling F1 team…

Glock to race for Toyota

Although SPEED’s Peter Windsor had previously announced that 2007 GP2 Champion Timo Glock would be replacing Ralf Schumacher at Toyota, the move had been delayed do to contractual wrangling. With BMW Sauber and Toyota playing “Tug ‘O War” over the young German’s services.

Thus the matter was being reviewed by the Contract Recognition Board, which has ruled that Glock is free to race for Toyota, although BMW Sauber believed they held a contract for Glock to remain as their test driver next season.

Yet BMW Sauber Team Principle Dr. Mario Theisen has announced that Glock is now free to go to Toyota, whom have officially confirmed Glock as “Ralfanso’s” replacement for 2008.

This leads one to speculate that either a new contract was negotiated or a sizeable amount of Deutschmarks transferred hands,

Meanwhile Toyota is seeking glock’s release from BMW Sauber “Just-in-Time” to participate at the upcoming Jerez winter test…

Kobayashi joins Toyota

While reigning GP2 champion Timo Glock was being confirmed as Ralf Schumacher’s replacement at Toyota F1, the Colone based team has also announced Kamui Kobayashi as its test driver for 2008.

The 21 year old Japanese driver has been linked to Toyota since 2001, being another member of Toyota’s young driver program. Kobayashi won the Formula Renault Italian and Eurocup titles in 2005 before graduating to Formula 3, where he partnered Giedo van der Garde and Sebastian Vettel. Kobayashi finished fourth in 2007 with one victory to his credit.

With Glock and Kobayashi joining Jarno Trulli, who has previously signed a one year contract, this leaves only four Constructor’s with unfilled driver line-ups. As McLaren, Renault, Force India and Super Aguri have yet to announce their drivers for next year.

And in a bit of further good tidings, its just been announced that Kobayashi has been signed to drive for the DAMS GP2 team in 2008, replacing fellow countryman Kazuki Nakajima…

Ralfanso leaving Toyota

Ralf Schumacher has announced on his personal website that he’ll be leaving the Toyota Formula 1 team at the end of the season.

This doesn’t seem too shocking given Ralfie’s turbulent career and continuous struggles with the Colone based team. As SPEED’s David Hobbs has been harping about the entire year plus, Ralfanso has been totally out performed and out qualified by Jarno Trulli, who’s salary is far less than Schumacher’s.

So who will fill the void? As there’s been rampant speculation about Ferrari’s Felipe Massa being sent packing to Toyota, along with this year’s GP2 Champion timo Glock. Yet it would be very refreshing to see Toyota sign Adrian Sutil instead…

Toyota’s Klien sheet?

And it never fails. As soon as you push the “Publish” button, you find yourself finding new tidbits of speculation suggesting you’ve gotten your story all wrong!

Which of course could be the case if the rumours of Christian Klien moving to Toyota F1 for 2008 are correct. And it’ll be interesting to see if Ralfanso is dumped prior to the French GP? As this would give France one last gasp of having a “Home Boy” compete in their home Grand Prix…

Toyota becomes Number 1 (Off Track)

With first quarter sales numbers in, Toyota Motor Corp. has finally vaulted past General Motors as the Number One producer of automobiles.

Meanwhile in Colone, Toyota’s beleaguered F1 operation has announced that current Formula 1 team boss Tsutomu Tomita will step down in June and return to Japan for new duties…

Ralfanso’s Fun Factory

Apparently Ralf Schumacher is none too impressed with the current Toyota TF 107. Schumacher has reportedly complained about the squad’s lack of pace shown so far this winter and doesn’t expect too much to happen in the season’s opening races.

And I just had to laugh upon reading “Ralfanso’s” latest comments claiming he’s one of the Top Three Drivers in Formula 1.

C’MON “Ralfie,” put down the Snaap’s … And you’d better lay off the Bit burger’s too for a little while, since I’m fairly certain that the majority of your fellow competitors would disagree…

I’m expecting “Top 3 Ralfanso” to continue playing tail gunner “Charlie” in the upcoming Melbourne race and will not be surprised to see him banging wheels at the rear of the grid with Mark Webber & Co.

Toyota TF107

Drum roll please…. “Let the Car Launches begin!” Toyota unveiled its 2007 challenger, the TF107 yesterday in Colone…

Toyota gunning for GM

Although there has been speculation that the Toyota Motor Corp. was poised to overtake General Motors for most sales the past few years, Toyota appears to be set to finally accomplish this task in 2007…

Toyota is set to supplant GM as the world’s number one Automaker with production of 9.3-9.4 million units this year while GM hovers around its past 2yr’s production level of 9.1-9.2 million units…

This would make Toyota the very first non-American manufacturer to do so, as GM has held this honor for 75 years since surpassing the Ford Motor Co. back in 1932…

Toyota seeks further media exposure this season as its key racing programs will spotlight the world’s two largest series: Formula 1 and “RASSCAR” as Toyota makes its Nextel Cup debut with their No. 1 selling Camry…

San Paulo Surprise

Talk about “Baptism under Fire.” A few of the Toyota F1 team recently learned the phrase “Up Close and Personal…”