Thursday, July 21, 2005 12:10 PM
(Also posted in motorsport.com forums, grandprixmagazine.com/forums, and totallytoyotaf1.com forums)
It's a loong read!
(It’s just TF102 asking himself!)
Diehard Toyota fan TF102 from the Philippines interviews himself about Toyota’s surprise, shocking good form in Malaysia.
First of all, … erm, I don’t know where to start.
Of course I know that.
Congratulations on Toyota’s first ever podium and most successful grand prix weekend ever!
Thanks. Well, this is as if I’m part of the F1 team for real – of course I’m not, but nonetheless this cool surprise from the Malaysian heat really brings good feelings for me, or for any Toyota fan out there. Competitive times from the practice sessions, best ever qualifying, best over points haul from a single race, best ever position in the constructors’ championship, that fantastic podium…
And those Hondas blowing up early on in the race?
Well it’s not really good to laugh on others’ misfortunes, but yes I have to admit that it added to the overall “cheer factor” of the weekend. Especially since only hours earlier over at America, Team Penske, powered by Toyota, beat the Hondas with a 1-2 finish. I heard they still are down on power against the Honda V8s there at the IRL, so it makes it even more impressive for that team, what they achieved.
They have to work on that. They have to be the leading V8s there if only this could be an indication of the V8 scene next year in F1.
For sure! And going back to F1 again, Toyota unusually did some bragging when after the race, they released the mileage figures of their racing RVX-05s. They did question Honda’s exploiting the engine loophole, and after that they rubbed in Honda’s embarrassment by telling the world how well they legally coped with the new engine regulations, using those mileage figures.
Indeed it was an achievement, so to speak. But it seemed like the Jordans did the work for them on Fridays. They recorded more mileage but they didn’t finish on the same lap as the winner.
Well Toyota could be smarting up and trying to behave like the big, powerful and influential team that they really are. But you also have to remember that Toyota and Jordan are on different tyres, and it probably was just about Jordan putting in more laps in choosing their tyres or to help their rookie drivers learn the track. Toyota have always been confident about their engine, and besides, you don’t test the engine on the grand prix weekend.
Looks like we just went ‘round and ‘round on that subject. Anyway, tell me about your celebrations for that podium.
There really wasn’t any celebration. Here in the family no one else watches or is even just interested in F1 or any motorsport. I watched just by myself. And it was frustrating because the Star Sports channel here in our area broadcasts F1 with Mandarin (Chinese) commentary, not the English one. Can you just imagine that!
Yes I can!
Last year the situation was a lot better because another channel started broadcasting F1 with ITV’s commentary. Yes, all the fancy commentary from Martin Brundle, James Allen, Louise and Ted I really cherished! We still have that channel today but they no longer have F1. So for you guys too gutted to listen to Martin and, of course, James, I say be happy. You’re so better off compared to yours truly who has to content himself with the caffeine-like wail of the V10s to justify still keeping the volume on.
Aw, it must have been really frustrating. How bad was it?
Well, I can see they actually have a very good coverage of the weekend with the two qualifying sessions, the race, and pre- and post-race programs. But come on, I don’t understand Chinese at all! And it’s even sadder when you hear one of them say “Montoya” when it’s actually Mark Webber, or when they thought it was Nick Heidfield when they saw the Williams collide with the Renault. It’s depressing.
And while we’re at it, who do you think was at fault there, between Webbo and Fisico?
I guess it’s Ralf’s fault. No I’m kidding, but we’ll get to him later. I think it was more of Giancarlo – but don’t count on my judgment. I’m one of the babies in F1 and I only started to get interested when Toyota joined the circus, and I didn’t even see their historic first-points-in-the-first-race performance in Melbourne in 2002.
Well now you saw their first legitimately competitive grand prix weekend, and you actually saw their first ever podium finish! This really calls for a celebration.
I wish I could celebrate, really. This surprise was actually a great gift for my graduation from college, and the ceremonies were held only that Saturday night. My celebrations were limited to bugging my sister one or two times with “Toyota. Podium!” and jumping, clapping, and shouting – at the same time – after confirmation that Jarno scored our first podium.
I imagine you looked like a crazy man jumping, clapping, and shouting at the same time. You’re crazy!
Huh! Why else would I be interviewing my self! But really, this sort of journal serves as my memento and celebration at the same time for Toyota’s first podium. It was a great, great feeling! The last few laps were really nerve-wracking, and I even tried to literally do some nail-biting. But my nails were not that long and it was just gross – I had to stop. All the time somehow I couldn’t believe just how good things were going for us, and there were flashes of Ricardo’s blow up in Spa last year, too.
You were not expecting that podium finish, were you?
I was not even expecting for even just a few points, I was only hoping. So that podium really came as a surprise. And I must say I really like how it turned out to be a surprise and not so much a surprise at the same time.
Well, after the Melbourne disappointment, it’s easy to see how not to expect for a podium.
Exactly. There’s where the surprise mainly came from. That was one amazing turn-around! The spies report of gp2005.com even went as far as reporting that some insiders from the team have already written off this season after Australia. Jarno scored a front row start, but aside from that, there were no other indications of at least a decent season in store for the team. Toyota have scored prime grid spots before, and yes, they fade away like what happened in Australia. The spies also reported that the aero still isn’t up to competitiveness despite the plethora of appendages. Going back further we know they didn’t figure well during the winter tests, and of course we’ve read and heard of Jarno’s concerns regarding the car’s appetite for its rear Michelins.
So how did you take this all as a fan? Where do you get the hope and optimism?
I am simply hopeful and optimistic. I wasn’t thinking much of the huge budget, or Mike Gascoyne, or the new drivers for hope or optimism. I guess I just had faith in the Toyota culture. But faith doesn’t mean all optimism and praises come what may. My being a fan also involves being critical of the team, and often times, with how the team has been performing anyway, I was the bearer of bad news. I’ve had the occasional rants. As I would sometimes say back then, and I think even after all this, it’s difficult being a Toyota fan.
But the Malaysian Grand Prix finally made it easier to cheer for Toyota.
Yes, that can be said. It was satisfying to browse through the message boards people’s usual opinions after the practice and qualifying sessions. And I don’t blame the usual thoughts – Jarno would fade away; they are running on fumes; Toyota’s going for qualifying glory again; etc. Very few, if any, were expecting a good run for Toyota. Sometimes it also pays to keep you hopes low so good results come somehow become even extra amazing and gratifying. Kinda like eating your words and still feeling good about it.
Obviously proving the doubters wrong, even if they included your self, was satisfying. What else was satisfying about this maiden podium?
Quite a lot actually, and all of them really meaningful. For instance, who would have pictured a Toyota lapping a Ferrari? Now didn’t that feel good!
There seemed to be some trouble about Rubens.
From what I saw on TV, it seemed that Rubens wasn’t at all ready for a Toyota trying to make a move on him in his Ferrari. I don’t know the validity of this – but I read in one of the message boards that after qualifying, Michael talked about the race being pretty much decided already for an Alonso victory, with Jarno behind him as a virtual mobile road block for the other, probably usual, contenders. So I guess Rubens wasn’t expecting to be racing with Jarno for position, much less moving over to be lapped. The second time went okay.
What an incredible reversal of fortunes! Jarno was frustrated and raised his fist at one time.
I was also thinking to myself that, if only those F1 cars could talk, or had expressive faces, then for sure that Ferrari would look confused, tired and glum, those Minardis and Jordans envious, and the Toyotas I think happy but somehow surprised as well.
Quite a number of people would say that this kind of performance from Toyota has just been waiting to happen, and probably, even long overdue if only for their huge budget. What are your thoughts on this?
Well, I agree to a certain extent. Let’s just say that Toyota’s case is different from the other big-budget teams like Ferrari or McLaren – Toyota it must be remembered was setting up infrastructure and so it was inevitable to spend more. But judging by Toyota as being somewhat a genius or whiz kid sort of a company, I was quietly expecting that they would be plotting a more successful or even just acceptable sort of F1 history for themselves than what they actually had. I can’t complain when they’ve suddenly gotten the attention of the world in just one weekend.
So that’s probably another point of satisfaction for you?
Of course it was. Quite literally – this is, as far as I can remember, the first time when Toyota was the subject of those fancy slow-motion shots. This is usually the stuff of front runners, and in most cases, when the race is too static and the director runs out of better things to show. I can only imagine the joy of Toyota and its sponsors from those shots. Finally they’re getting TV mileage; finally they’re getting their money’s worth. I bet the likes of the avex group and Wella are gutted that they’re not with the team now that things are finally shaping up right.
Finally the world is watching and more sponsors could join Toyota soon.
That’s F1 for you – the rich become richer. I can’t say that’s properly satisfying though.
I guess Ralf’s not that satisfied, too – he being out-qualified and out-raced by Jarno for the two grands prix so far.
There’s a situation building up for the team, and it’s interesting how things will turn out. It’s too early to be politicking now. I’m disappointed at Ralf’s not being able to hold position against Mark and Nick. He could have inherited third place and it could have been a 2-3 for Toyota. But I guess that’s asking too much already. Just the same, he could have gotten fourth if only he drove faster enough to not place himself in an awkward, compromising situation as his former teammate Juan exited the pits.
Still he’s having a pretty good time now; better from what many expected from last year.
Indeed. That’s another thing to be thankful for, actually. It’s a still a long season ahead but this early he and Jarno have nothing much to regret about. Jarno and Ralf in their Toyotas are pretty much in touch and competitive with the Renaults and Williamses. It was an amazing coincidence, the early parts of the race: Jarno sandwiched between two Renaults, followed by Ralf sandwiched by two Williamses.
And of course the team got their target of a podium at the second race, a lot earlier than the anticipated second half of the season.
Well, Mike Gascoyne’s working for the win from now on. It’s a good thing that the team’s first podium was achieved very deservingly and legitimately. I mean it didn’t come from attrition or freaky weather – it was all natural save for Ferrari and BAR’s uncompetitiveness. I won’t concede that the podium was all on the “absence” of last year’s champion and runner up teams. Throughout the weekend Ferrari were generally off the pace – did I just say that? – and BAR were having troubles. It wasn’t much of bad luck that hampered Ferrari and BAR and it’s reasonable to say, too, that it wasn’t much of luck alone that produced Jarno’s brilliant second place.
Are you expecting a podium parade similar to BAR in 2004 from now on?
No, but now I can hope. From what Mike said over at gp2005.com, something like them being not as bad as they showed in Melbourne, and probably not a good as they showed in Sepang, I’m looking at Toyota now like the Renaults of 2003. They’ll probably get the occasional podium and perhaps one win. For sure they should be fighting for points more consistently now. But who am I to know? At least for the first two races, 2005 is shaping up to be like 2003. Ferrari is struggling. The team that finished third the previous year, Renault (McLaren 2003) wins the first two races. The driver that won Melbourne, Giancarlo (DC 2003) retires in Malaysia. The man that finished third in Melbourne, Fernando (Kimi 2003) wins in Malaysia. Freaky isn’t it? Now could it be that Fernando finally challenges for the championship like Kimi did in 2003?
The great thing here is that there is now another team realistically racing for podiums.
Toyota, yes, like how Renault officially joined the big league in 2003. Another great thing here is that the TF105 that claimed Toyota’s first podium does not look so much similar to the other cars. I myself was questioning Toyota’s adherence to the boxy look. But now for me, the boxy look, unique by today’s terms, made the win extra special. They certainly won’t mistake this one with any Ferrari! Toyota’s new chief aerodynamicist, Nicolo Petrucci, recruited from Jordan must be very happy with this amazing result. He started at Toyota only last January and together with his “Jordan wings” has already come up with a car that though is still down on downforce, is now up on aero efficiency. It’s a great start, and now recent reports indicate that former top Michelin man Pascal Vasselon is moving to Toyota. Finally a high profile engineer to work on those tyres and the car’s suspension – could be.
The entire Toyota team must be really happy. Who do you think is/ should be happiest?
Well there are a lot of suspects here so please allow me to not go for just one in particular. First off, big thanks and congratulations to those who are no longer with the team – the likes of Mika Salo, Allan McNish, Cristiano da Matta, Ange P., Norbert K., many others – for they formed the team and, no doubt, are part of the learning process, no matter how bitter, and therefore part of this podium. The same goes for those who are now working more behind the scenes like Ove A., Olivier Panis, and of course, Gustav Brunner. Luca Marmorini finally met a matching chassis for his excellent engines, courtesy of Mike Gascoyne. Congratulations to Mr. Tomita, to all the engineers, truckies, chefs, assistants, managers, mechanics, many others, and to drivers Ricardo Zonta, Ralf Schumacher, and Jarno Trulli!
And congratulations to all fans and supporters like you!
We feel part of the team already, so it almost goes without saying…
Well it will be, for sure, one memorable grand prix for you. But within this amazing Malaysian Grand Prix, do you have any particular memorable moments?
Well, I like the fancy slow-motion shots. “Fastest lap / Jarno Trulli / Toyota / [time]” on the screen – a first for Toyota – was also one for the books. But the team radio moments were really funny for me. I have two. The first one is Giancarlo’s, before his first pit stop. The team asked him, “… point four percent less wing or point six percent less wing?” That was hilarious for me. Are drivers really able to digest that thought – with what seems so little difference between two choices? The man was asking as if he’s offering fries to go with burger…
So what was the other one?
It has to be Felipe Massa and his team, when Kimi Raikkonen managed to get past the Brazilian on the closing stages. “Drink, Felipe, drink. Don’t forget to drink.” Hilarious again! Probably it was the team’s more polite, public way of reprimand. Perhaps they meant, “Hey Felipe, you napping *(^$#@. The race isn’t over and keep yourself awake!” But I imagine it was just hot and exhausting for all these drivers, so yes, you have to drink!
You know you’re not so good at delivering funny punch lines or stories.
You do realize we’re one and the same.
Fair enough. It’s time to say goodbye. Thanks for the time. Any last words for our readers?
Toyota. One Aim. Watch Us. And now, watch out!
