Friday, August 12, 2005 6:41 AM
Quote from gp2005.com:
"After a few races of stagnation, Toyota looked strong in Budapest. A new aero package improved the downforce. The drag handicap the TF105 has does not count too much in Hungary with just one longer straight. The heat was another factor, which was in favour of the Toyotas. They can run the (sidepod) almost closed even in the hottest conditions. The team benefited already from this in Bahrain and Malaysia. Ralf Schumacher got his first podium since he has driven for Toyota. He normally is stronger than Trulli in the race, but this time the Italian was handicapped. When Barrichello crashed into the back of his Toyota at the start, parts of one rear wing endplate and the diffusor broke. From then on the car was difficult to drive."
End quote.
A very telling insight on Toyota's aerodynamics and engine. As usual, kudos to Mr. Marmorini and his team. The engine is well suited even to high temperature environments, and more importantly, without much compromise on the aerodynamics of the car. On the other hand, this also tells us that there is still a long way to go in terms of the TF105's aero efficiency.
The way I understand it, aero efficiency is optimising drag versus downforce: maximum downforce with the minimum drag. This could perhaps explain why Toyota unlike such teams like Williams and Ferrari, would rather remove their extra winglets (like the mini rear wing) after specific maximum-downforce tracks like Monaco and Budapest. A wing adds downforce and drag, and in tracks like Monaco and Budapest the effect of drag is not so penalising but in other tracks where there are long straights, the effect of drag is elevated. In those cases, I suppose, drag is reduced as much as possible, and in the process downforce cannot be maximised.
It seems that even without the winglets, the basic TF105 aero package has enough downforce but however still suffers considerable drag. This could perhaps explain, why among the basic aero-ed MP4-20, R25, and TF105, the Toyota loses in the top-speed game. This is crucial for the upcoming races in Monza and Spa. Of course engine performance should also be factored in, but on aero alone it appears that the McLaren and Renault are more aero efficient. These two appear to have very good 'basic package' downforce and drag doesn't seem to hurt their top speeds.
Should a significant update improve the TF105's aero efficiency? I don't know. Perhaps a change to the basic shape of the car as opposed to aero add-ons would do the job to enhance the car's performance from track to track. But, the crucial thing is, there was no mention whatsoever about a revised Toyota in the spies report. Still hoping, though.
Other gp2005.com quotes:
"Although the deadline to answer BMW was running out last Sunday night, Frank Williams did not react. For him it is a difficult option to choose. Which engine shall he take for one year, before he marries with Toyota in 2007? Both BMW and Cosworth would cost him about 15 million dollars. Both are probably not far apart technically. In the first V8 year, Cosworth can potentially do as good a good job as the manufacturers, mainly because of their V8 experience. With Cosworth Frank risks sponsorship. With BMW he has the problem that Munich wants him to sign for two years. Otherwise it would be too expensive to build up a customer service in Munich with 25 extra people. But two years is not possible, as it would conflict with Frank’s Toyota plans."
"Williams made its tyre choice. The team will run with Bridgestone next year. Red Bull is another candidate. In Japan, the headquarters of Toyota is negotiating with Bridgestone as well. But Toyota would only change if Bridgestone would give them the same treatment as Ferrari."
End quote.
As I said in my latest conversation, the Toyota/Bridgestone rumours are similar to last year's Sauber/Michelin rumours. Generally quiet and tight-lipped, but a lot of things happening behind the scences. It could end up the same way. It is not for us fans to force a decision to the team, but whichever tyre we choose for next year, we all hope it is for the best!
Quote from gp2005.com:
"After a few races of stagnation, Toyota looked strong in Budapest. A new aero package improved the downforce. The drag handicap the TF105 has does not count too much in Hungary with just one longer straight. The heat was another factor, which was in favour of the Toyotas. They can run the (sidepod) almost closed even in the hottest conditions. The team benefited already from this in Bahrain and Malaysia. Ralf Schumacher got his first podium since he has driven for Toyota. He normally is stronger than Trulli in the race, but this time the Italian was handicapped. When Barrichello crashed into the back of his Toyota at the start, parts of one rear wing endplate and the diffusor broke. From then on the car was difficult to drive."
End quote.
A very telling insight on Toyota's aerodynamics and engine. As usual, kudos to Mr. Marmorini and his team. The engine is well suited even to high temperature environments, and more importantly, without much compromise on the aerodynamics of the car. On the other hand, this also tells us that there is still a long way to go in terms of the TF105's aero efficiency.
The way I understand it, aero efficiency is optimising drag versus downforce: maximum downforce with the minimum drag. This could perhaps explain why Toyota unlike such teams like Williams and Ferrari, would rather remove their extra winglets (like the mini rear wing) after specific maximum-downforce tracks like Monaco and Budapest. A wing adds downforce and drag, and in tracks like Monaco and Budapest the effect of drag is not so penalising but in other tracks where there are long straights, the effect of drag is elevated. In those cases, I suppose, drag is reduced as much as possible, and in the process downforce cannot be maximised.
It seems that even without the winglets, the basic TF105 aero package has enough downforce but however still suffers considerable drag. This could perhaps explain, why among the basic aero-ed MP4-20, R25, and TF105, the Toyota loses in the top-speed game. This is crucial for the upcoming races in Monza and Spa. Of course engine performance should also be factored in, but on aero alone it appears that the McLaren and Renault are more aero efficient. These two appear to have very good 'basic package' downforce and drag doesn't seem to hurt their top speeds.
Should a significant update improve the TF105's aero efficiency? I don't know. Perhaps a change to the basic shape of the car as opposed to aero add-ons would do the job to enhance the car's performance from track to track. But, the crucial thing is, there was no mention whatsoever about a revised Toyota in the spies report. Still hoping, though.
Other gp2005.com quotes:
"Although the deadline to answer BMW was running out last Sunday night, Frank Williams did not react. For him it is a difficult option to choose. Which engine shall he take for one year, before he marries with Toyota in 2007? Both BMW and Cosworth would cost him about 15 million dollars. Both are probably not far apart technically. In the first V8 year, Cosworth can potentially do as good a good job as the manufacturers, mainly because of their V8 experience. With Cosworth Frank risks sponsorship. With BMW he has the problem that Munich wants him to sign for two years. Otherwise it would be too expensive to build up a customer service in Munich with 25 extra people. But two years is not possible, as it would conflict with Frank’s Toyota plans."
"Williams made its tyre choice. The team will run with Bridgestone next year. Red Bull is another candidate. In Japan, the headquarters of Toyota is negotiating with Bridgestone as well. But Toyota would only change if Bridgestone would give them the same treatment as Ferrari."
End quote.
As I said in my latest conversation, the Toyota/Bridgestone rumours are similar to last year's Sauber/Michelin rumours. Generally quiet and tight-lipped, but a lot of things happening behind the scences. It could end up the same way. It is not for us fans to force a decision to the team, but whichever tyre we choose for next year, we all hope it is for the best!
