Toyota TF106 - photos

[cameraman]

http://www.toyota-f1.com/public/images/news/20051128.jpg
http://www.toyota-f1.com/public/images/news/l_20051128_1.jpg
http://www.toyota-f1.com/public/images/news/l_20051128_2.jpg
http://www.toyota-f1.com/public/images/news/l_20051128_3.jpg


Renowned for its early car launches, Toyota has raised the standards yet again by unleashing its 2006 race car over three months before the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, which is scheduled for 12 March. Technical Director Chassis Mike Gascoyne believes such a head start could offer the Cologne-based team a significant time advantage over its rivals ahead of the winter holiday period.

“We have been working on the TF106 since the end of 2004,” Gascoyne reveals, “and the introduction of this car at such an early stage is a true testament to the work of the team and shows that we are able to react and push forward at a rate that is necessary to be at the forefront of Formula 1.”

The TF106 marries a brand new rear end, designed to accommodate Toyota’s latest specification V8 engine, with a development of the monocoque and front suspension of its pole-setting, podium-scoring TF105B interim car that was brought in for the final two races of the 2005 season.

Full press release at Toyota web site (http://www.toyota-f1.com/public/en/news/20051128.html)

[trish]

It looks kind of busy from the front. Like bows and ribbons are on it.

[devilmaster]

my prediction - TF 106(a) will be released shortly after everyone tests together for the first time.....

;) :D

[Dirty Sanchez]

yeah, its really just a hybrid car focusing on the mechanicals for 06. although with a couple of slick photos they can parlay this into a pseudo-launch media event.

[oddlycalm]

Trulli says the handling sucks the big one, so predictions of an A version sound about right. Gascoyne seems to have a solid handle on the areo issues so I suspect that it's mechanical issues where they are lost, particularly given the tracks where the 05 car worked well vs where it didn't. Trulli would seem to confirm this. Sounds like they need a better suspension engineer.

"I still have the same problems with the (front) suspension like I did in the last two races of 2005," he told autosport.com. "It is just the same and I cannot get much feeling out of it.

oc

[Dirty Sanchez]

depends on who you talk to. Ralf liked the 05b suspension update just fine (believe that has carried over to this 06 mule). Trulli seems to have a very narrow sweet spot when it comes to getting everything right for him. in races, he's fast only when everything else is perfect... otherwise... Trulli train. he can usually put in a blinder over one-lap tho'. exceptional qualifier. imo.

[stroker]

jeez, why don't they put some wings on it?

[Dirty Sanchez]

yep... depends on who you talk to ;)

Ralf after his first outing in the 06: "As regards the chassis, the new car felt really good and I was happy with the tyres as well, even if there's a long way to go before the beginning of the season and a lot of work to do. The Bridgestones didn't feel that much different but the car set-up had already been done by my team mates over the first two days of the test. For a starting point, it was very good.

"It's important to be out testing early. I think we learned that last year and saw the benefits. It helped us a lot in the first few races and that's what we are aiming for again."