How Much is that F1 in the Window? Toyota reportedly looking to sell completed TF110
Toyota TF109 – Click above for high-res image gallery
For many Formula One teams, work on next year's car starts halfway through a running season. So by the time Toyota announced it would not be back for next season, it had already completed its design for 2010. Now that it won't be needing the car, however, the Japanese automaker's scuttled racing team is reportedly putting the design up for sale.
So who would be interested in buying the would-be Toyota TF110? None of the established teams, most of which are probably just as advanced in their design process for next year. After running Red Bull designs every year so far, Toro Rosso will be required to field its own car next season for the first time, but the process is reportedly well under way. Sauber apparenlty didn't stop work on its car even when BMW pulled out and they lost their slot for next season, which could work to their advantage if they get the nod to take Toyota's spot.
Fortunately for the Japanese automaker looking to recuperate some of its losses, they chose the right time to quit as there are a slew of new teams joining the grid for next season. And while Lotus and Campos have already contracted engineering firms to design their chassis – Aerolab and Dallara, respectively – either USF1 or Manor could jump at the opportunity. But they might not have to jump too high, as reports also indicate that the rejected Lola entry also already had a car ready to go, which could also be on the market.
Gallery: Toyota TF109
[Source: F1-Live]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Temple 4:08PM (11/12/2009)
Looking as how successful Brawn was continuing Honda's design, the Toyota TF110 could be a good investment...
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Tom Winch 8:32PM (11/12/2009)
Brawn did not use Honda's design. When Ross Brawn took over the team in 2008, he inherited Honda's design, which was arguably the worst car on the grid. He quickly realized that there was no use in trying to develop the car, so he gave up on 2008 and started designing his own car for Honda, until they pulled out of F1 and he had to scramble to keep the team alive. The championship winning 2009 car had support from Honda during it's design, but it's a Brawn car all the way.
spookthehamster 5:22AM (11/13/2009)
It is most definitely a Honda design. Honda were working in some way or another on the 2009 car long before the beginning of 2008, as they wanted to fully exploit the huge rule changes.
Sam 12:04PM (11/14/2009)
Just a FYI, Ross Brawn didn't design the car. Jörg Zander and Loïc Bigois did. Brawn is qualified to design in however being an Aerodynamicist.
What Ross Brawn did however was read the rules for the 2009 season and "exploited" them. He saw that a double defuser was allowed and Jörg designed it into the car.
If it was any other season brawn would be on the back of the grid, but because every team had to start again they were all on a level playing field.
When you look at Jörg's track record in F1 it comes as a surprise he has actually come up with something that won races. Working in F1 for British American Racing (BAR) and Toyota he hardly won a bloody thing.
Alex 4:13PM (11/12/2009)
I would think that any team that has been planning on entering F1 is already well underway in designing a car for next year, including USF1 and Manor.
I'm not sure anyone would want it unless its low hanging fruit that they can use to study designs from a company that used track experience to design their car.
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RicoChet 4:15PM (11/12/2009)
Does it come in black? If not, I'll just buy something else.
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xpolarx 4:27PM (11/12/2009)
Yeah...just show me the carfax.
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ALBGunner04 6:36PM (11/12/2009)
lol best comment of this thread!
Weaksauce 4:55PM (11/12/2009)
If the Chassis is good, why not stop R&D on the chassis and pick this up? Get the right engine, and you're leaps and bounds ahead of the curve.
When testing time rolls around, you can have multiple front and rear spoiler options. This is a great idea. Someone will buy it.
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John S. Derderian 4:42PM (11/12/2009)
For the 2010 season it will need a bigger fuel tank, they can only stop for tire change next year.
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Sam 12:05PM (11/14/2009)
*tyre.
Zakspeed 5:02PM (11/12/2009)
I dont think it is possible that any serious team (USF1, Manor, etc) would not have their car drawn up by now.
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Temple 5:25PM (11/12/2009)
Toyota obviously invested hundreds of millions of dollars, and have developed simultaneously with the 09 season (like all F1 teams do). Being "drawn-out", and being being designed in 2 wind tunnels with a staff of 500 people are very different.
It should be noted that, the grid was fairly close this season, few tenths of second a lap between front-runners and mid-fielders. It wasn't like pre-09 where there were seconds per lap difference between the cars.
The TF110 will definitely be competitive, maybe not a front runner, but certainly more competitive then a car designed in a few months by a new team.
Harrison 9:15PM (11/12/2009)
$3700 + a six-pack.
I'd love to autocross/track-day this beast! Of course, you'd have to register it, so I guess I'll have to swap in a Supra I6 engine.
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jonwil2002 10:02PM (11/12/2009)
What do you get for the money though? Do you get all the parts, software and kit that goes with it?
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JDM Life 10:35PM (11/12/2009)
Man oh man if i had the money....this Toyota would so be in my collection.....
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spookthehamster 5:24AM (11/13/2009)
I wouldn't put it past some of the existing major teams to purchase this. The teams grab every chance to find out what the opposition is up to, and Toyota had _some_ decent ideas that could help a team to improve somewhere.
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