Autoblog

Ken Blocked: Rally driver too big for F1 car

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:31:00 EST

Ken Block was prepared to suit up for some seat time in Pirelli's Toyota TF109 Formula One test car. Problem is, the car wasn't prepared to suit Block. The man is too large for the seat, which typically holds diminutive F1 pilots. No, he's not too fat, Block is just too tall to fit inside the car.

According to Autosport, Block was able to wrangle his Gymkhana-built body into the cockpit of the slim racer, but once team members tried to attach the steering wheel, fit issues became clear. Those who helped organize the test are looking into alternative vehicles for Block to drive. His test date was scheduled for August 5 at Monza's Italian Grand Prix. No word on whether the test has been pushed to a later date pending further modifications to the car or.... umm... Block.

Ken Blocked: Rally driver too big for F1 car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ken Block set for F1 test at Monza

Noah Joseph — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Event Alert

Even with a skill set as specific as vehicular control, there are polar opposites. At one end you have F1 drivers, who position what essentially amount to fighter jets on wheels with pin-point precision. At the other end sits the likes of Ken Block, the Gymkhana master who has wowed us all time and again by drifting his rally car sideways through the tightest of spots and in the grandest of fashion. The two may seem entirely irreconcilable, but they're about to come together for what promises to be an interesting crossover.

While visiting Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix, it was announced that Block is headed for his first drive in an F1 car this August. But rather than test, as many others have, for a specific team, Block will be the invited guest of Pirelli - the company that supplies the tires both for his rally car and for the entire F1 grid.

The drive will take place at Monza - the legendary home of the Italian Grand Prix - on August 5th. There, Block will take to the wheel of the TF109, the car which Toyota fielded in the 2009 championship before withdrawing from the series altogether, and which Pirelli now uses to test its various F1 rubber compounds.

Block says this test will "take hooning to a whole new level." Are we smelling an F1 Gymkhana video in the making? Too early to say, but we can certainly dream. Official announcement after the jump.

Continue reading Ken Block set for F1 test at Monza

Ken Block set for F1 test at Monza originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota's former F1 team re-emerges as engineering consultancy

Noah Joseph — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 12:18:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota

The shutdown of Toyota's Formula One program should have resulted in a mass layoff of the team's personnel, right? Well it didn't. While some may have gone their separate ways, others have been hired; and despite the essential absence of an actual F1 program, Toyota Motorsport GmbH is still alive and keeping plenty busy.

Once the dust settled at the operation's Cologne headquarters, TMG remade itself into an engineering consulting business. The outfit that benefited from years of unprecedented investment from the world's largest automaker has been undertaking a variety of other tasks for new clients (in addition to specific roles it still plays for Toyota). Preparing test cars for Pirelli's new contract to supply F1 tires has been one, but according to a report in Autosport, TMG "has proved that F1 skills and technologies could be easily transfered to non-motorsport applications" as well.

As a result, TMG is closing what its own personnel describe as a "breakthrough year" that has taken it from the brink of disaster to a profitable business in its own right. Who would have figured?

[Source: Autosport]

Toyota's former F1 team re-emerges as engineering consultancy originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Nov 2010 12:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HRT reportedly close to signing deal with Toyota for F1 support

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota, Racing

Toyota TF109 - Click above for high-res image gallery

It appears that Toyota's aborted 2010 Formula One car design may finally make it to the track in 2011 under the banner of the Hispania Racing Team (HRT). The freshman Spanish team has struggled so far this season with the chassis it sourced from Dallara and already announced that it would not be continuing with the Italian race car builder in 2011.

When Toyota decided to shutter its F1 operations late in 2009, it had already competed the design of its 2010 car, the TF110. Toyota offered up its design to the new teams that were entering for 2010 and hopeful entrant Stefan GP had planned to use it. Unfortunately, Stefan did not get one of the new positions on the grid even after USF1 collapsed.

HRT has now reportedly struck a deal to use not only Toyota's design but its Cologne Germany facilities. Toyota will apparently be providing a significant amount of technical support to HRT for 2011 and has even begun rehiring some of its previous staff.

Gallery: Toyota TF109

[Source: Eurosport]

HRT reportedly close to signing deal with Toyota for F1 support originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HRT F1 parts company with Dallara, reportedly eyes abandoned Toyota chassis

Noah Joseph — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:26:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota, Racing

The Hispania Racing Team has had a rough start this year in F1. The upstart squad has retired seven times in as many races, failing to score a single championship point so far. Which is still better than Virgin has fared so far - and surprisingly Sauber too - but that's no way to enter the field. Now the outfit formerly known as Campos Meta 1 has split with its chassis supplier, with reports indicating it's already looking into another for next season... if not for the remainder of this one.

Rather than design its own chassis from scratch, HRT opted to outsource to veteran constructor Dallara. But despite having managed to reach the grid in time for the start of the season, HRT claims Dallara didn't put in enough testing time. There's no question that HRT needs a better car, but where to find one on such short notice?

According to some reports, HRT is reportedly looking to acquire the TF110 - the car that Toyota would have fielded this year had they not withdrawn - and race that chassis instead. The pair of Toyota cars is reportedly up for sale after another F1 hopeful, Stefan GP, didn't get a slot on the grid and subsequently defaulted on payments to Toyota. The Cologne-based facility is reportedly still in operation, providing services to other racing teams, and could be prepared to support HRT or any other team with the means to make a go of it.

[Sources: Autosport, Axis of Oversteer | Image: Guillaume Baptiste/AFP/Getty]

HRT F1 parts company with Dallara, reportedly eyes abandoned Toyota chassis originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opportunity Knocks: Stefan GP and Toyota prepare for another team's failure

Noah Joseph — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Toyota, Racing

Stefan GP brokers a deal with Toyota Racing - Click above for high-res image gallery

Some people just won't take no for an answer. That sense of unbridled optimism could stand to serve an F1 team well, only Stefan GP isn't an F1 team. Yet. But they hope to be, and they're not taking no for an answer.

Late last year after Toyota departed from the series, the Serbian racing team headed by Zoran Stefanovic (pictured above at Toyota's headquarters in Cologne, Germany) brokered a deal with the Japanese automaker to pick up Toyota's aborted 2010 program and run with it as an independent. Stefan applied for a slot on the grid, but their bid was rejected. Now they're banking on one of the teams that was accepted - Campos, USF1 or (less likely) Virgin or Lotus - failing to make it to the opening round in Bahrain next month.

Sounds ambitious? Definitely, but not without merit. Bernie Ecclestone is backing Stefan GP's effort, and they're slated to unveil their own car, powered by their own engine (both rebranded from Toyota's program), and send it to the test session in Portugal later this month. Toyota is providing support, and Stefan has recruited a team of engineers - including several former McLaren operatives implicated in the Spygate and Liegate scandals - and former Midland/Spyker/Force India director Colin Kolles.

Word has it the team has also already lined up two experienced drivers backed by Toyota: Kazuki Nakajima and - get this - Ralf Schumacher. The younger Schumi expressed interest in returning to F1 alongside his more successful brother, and may just get his chance if another team misses theirs.

Gallery: Stefan GP gears up for 2010 F1 season

[Source: Stefan GP via ESPN]

Opportunity Knocks: Stefan GP and Toyota prepare for another team's failure originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Serbian team reportedly in talks to take over Toyota F1

Noah Joseph — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota

Reports of Toyota F1's demise may prove to have been exaggerated as the latest rumors from the racing world suggest that the Japanese automaker is in discussions with a Serbian outfit about taking over the Cologne-based racing team.

Stefan Grand Prix is backed by Serbian engineering firm AMCO and headed by one Zoran Stefanovic, who, like N.Technology, filed an official complaint over the FIA's selection process for new teams. His suit was rejected, but Stefanovic remained determined. The departure of Toyota from the scene and the availability of its assets - including its 2010 car design and the all-important entry slot for next year's championship - may prove to be his way in. The deal could involve Toyota sticking around to supply engines for the next few years, and Kamui Kobayashi could be part of the package, operating from the current facility in Cologne, Germany, until the move to Serbia could be completed.

For its part, Toyota is likely trying to find a way to get around its commitments under the Concorde Agreement to remain in the series, the failure of which to honor could cost Toyota hundreds of millions in fines. Meanwhile if Stefan Grand Prix manages to pull it off, they'll have successfully circumnavigated the allegedly flawed selection process and secured their spot on the grid. Stefanovic denies the prospect of his outfit simply stepping in to Toyota's place, but confirmed that negotiations are under way.

Meanwhile Sauber - which just reacquired itself from BMW in the wake of the failed Qadbak deal - was hoping Toyota would default on its agreement, thereby giving them the green light. If the Stefan deal goes through, Sauber could be locked out, unless the powers-that-be opt to let them in as an unprecedented 14th entry.

[Source: F1-Live | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

Serbian team reportedly in talks to take over Toyota F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need a Formula One car design? 2010 Toyota racer reportedly for sale

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota

Toyota only made the decision to abandon its Formula One program a few weeks ago, but the lead time for developing a new car is a much longer than that. The engineering team at Toyota's Cologne F1 headquarters had been working on the 2010 car for most of 2009, and the actual design is already complete and ready for construction.

Given that a number of new teams are entering F1 for the first time in 2010, they'll be trying to develop new designs from the ground up. Interestingly, has Toyota evidently has decided not to sell the team and its existing infrastructure. However, it is offering up the designs that have been developed for the now abandoned new car. Teams could potentially buy all the necessary CAD data needed to build a car from an established team. Given the relative lack of success that Toyota has had during its F1 tenure in spite of the cubic dollars it has spent, teams might want to look elsewhere, but who knows? The price tag is likely to be cheaper than designing a whole new car from scratch.

[Source: Autocar]

Need a Formula One car design? 2010 Toyota racer reportedly for sale originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How Much is that F1 in the Window? Toyota reportedly looking to sell completed TF110

Noah Joseph — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota

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]

How Much is that F1 in the Window? Toyota reportedly looking to sell completed TF110 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Toyota confirms departure from Formula One

Noah Joseph — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota

The buck's got to stop somewhere. Toyota has been pouring in hundreds of millions of dollars into its Formula One racing program for seven years now and has little to show for it. Now after both Honda and BMW have mothballed their F1 teams, Toyota has confirmed longstanding speculation by doing the same.

The announcement was not expected for another few days, but with rumors persisting, the Japanese automaker appears to have moved things forward with a press conference held by Akio Toyoda. The president of the Toyota Motor Corporation expressed his gratitude to the team and offered his apologies to those affected by the decision, but revealed that the company could no longer justify supporting the program.

Among the hundreds of personnel the move now leaves stranded, the three racing drivers which the team fielded this season - Timo Glock, Jarno Trulli and Kamui Kobayashi - will now be looking for new race seats with other teams, the latter facing the difficult prospect (despite his impressive performance) of finding a drive without the patronage of a Japanese company, of which exactly zero remain following the departure of Toyota, Honda and Bridgestone. Meanwhile, the team's withdrawal leaves an open slot on the grid next season, potentially to be filled by a BMW-less Sauber team. And with all the resources Toyota has poured into the team, it would not be unrealistic to expect another outfit to step in and acquire its extensive racing operations based in Cologne, Germany.

Follow the jump to read the press release and the full statement from Akio Toyoda.

[Source: Toyota | Image: Mark Thompson/Getty]

Continue reading Officially Official: Toyota confirms departure from Formula One

Officially Official: Toyota confirms departure from Formula One originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Toyota may announce exit from Formula 1

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota, Rumormill

According to the Japanese Mainichi newspaper, Toyota is poised to withdraw from Formula One competition and will not take part in the 2010 season. Though no source is given for the news, so far Toyota is neither confirming nor denying the report.

Toyota has never had the kind of success in F1 racing that it had expected - despite dropping ridiculous sums of money (some estimate well over $400 million per year) into the sport, Toyota has managed zero race victories in seven years and 139 races worth of competition.

At this point, we'll just have to wait for an official announcement, which is currently scheduled for November 8th, but if Toyota does indeed leave before the 2010 season we know that there are a few more teams interested in taking the slot. We also know of some pretty good drivers that may be looking for a new option. Stay tuned. Thanks for the tip, Carl!

[Source: Mainichi]

Rumormill: Toyota may announce exit from Formula 1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kamui Kobayashi to fill in for injured Timo Glock at Brazilian Grand Prix

Noah Joseph — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Toyota

As the Formula One championship winds to a close, the series is on track for a big change-up in drivers. But not before one last in-season switch. Earlier this season, Toro Rosso replaced Sebastien Bourdais with Jaime Alguersuai. Ferrari called up Luca Badoer to fill in for an injured Felipe Massa when Michael Schumacher wasn't up to the task, and subsequently replaced Badoer with Giancarlo Fisichella, leaving Force India to promote Tonio Liuzzi to Fisico's seat. And of course Renault fired Nelson Piquet Jr and brought in Romain Grosjean in his stead. Now Toyota has announced that Kamui Kobayashi will be filling in for Timo Glock at Toyota this coming weekend in Brazil.

Glock started out with four races for Jordan Grand Prix in 2004, earning the rare distinction of scoring championship points in his race debut. The German driver then moved back down to Champ Cars and on to the GP2 Series, whose championship he won in 2007 before being called back up to F1 by Toyota. So far this season, Timo's scored two podiums, including a second place finish in Singapore, but may have to sit out the remaining two races this season due to an underestimated injury. During the Saturday qualification session for this past Japanese Grand Prix, Glock suffered a major crash, which seemed initially only to have cut his leg. Glock was sidelined for the race, but was expected to be back in the cockpit for Brazil until it was discovered that he suffered a cracked vertebrae.

Unable to drive, Toyota has promoted their reserve driver Kamui Kobayashi to fill in. The reigning champion in the GP2 Asia Series, Kobayashi will be making his grand prix debut at a track he doesn't know next weekend in a car he's only driven once. The 23-year-old driver is excited for his unexpected race debut, and is undoubtedly hoping he can match Glock's distinction. Follow the jump for Toyota's official announcement.

[Source: Toyota | Image: Toru Yamanaka/AFP/Getty]

Continue reading Kamui Kobayashi to fill in for injured Timo Glock at Brazilian Grand Prix

Kamui Kobayashi to fill in for injured Timo Glock at Brazilian Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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End of Year Shuffle: 14 Formula One teams swap drivers for 2010

Noah Joseph — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs

If you thought the series of driver changes in the middle of this ongoing Formula One season was something, it's nothing compared to the grand game of musical chairs expected to ensue as the season draws to a close. With BMW closing up shop, several new teams joining the grid and at least a couple of former world champions switching teams for next year's championship, we're shaping up for the biggest jumble the F1 circus has seen in years. Follow the jump to see how it's unfolding so far.

[Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

Continue reading End of Year Shuffle: 14 Formula One teams swap drivers for 2010

End of Year Shuffle: 14 Formula One teams swap drivers for 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Toyota woes spell trouble for Fuji Speedway

Noah Joseph — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:19:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Japan, Honda, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

Toyota's Timo Glock at the 2008 Japanese Grand Prix at the Fuji Speedway

In any game of chicken, it's all about who flinches first. Ever since its first running in 1963, the Japanese Grand Prix has bounced between Fuji Speedway and Suzuka Circuit, the former dominating in the '60s and '70s before the latter got the exclusive in the late-'80s through 2006, at which point Fuji took over again. The rivalry is about more than just the tracks, though: With Toyota owning Fuji and arch-rival Honda owning Suzuka, the back-and-forth has become something of a turf war between the country's automotive powerhouses.

Two years ago, the two tracks worked out a deal that would have the race alternating year to year, sort of like Germany's arrangement between Hockenheim and the Nürburgring. However, emerging reports suggest that tightening belts at Toyota could spell trouble for Fuji Speedway. The costs of hosting a Formula 1 grand prix event continue to escalate, and those costs may be harder to justify for the cash-strapped auto giant - especially if ticket sales don't cover the budget. Honda is likely in no better a financial situation, as evidenced by their unfortunate withdrawal from the sport. But if Toyota flinches first, Honda might win the race... in one sense or another.

[Source: F1-Live | Image: Mark Thompson/Getty]

REPORT: Toyota woes spell trouble for Fuji Speedway originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Carbon Offset: Toyota sells F1 spare parts

Noah Joseph — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Toyota

Here's a little problem to solve: Although budgets are shrinking, it still costs million to run a Formula One team. On the other hand, the teams go through spare parts like a rib joint does napkins. Meanwhile, collectors and enthusiasts have proven willing to shell out big bucks for authentic memorabilia. Found the magic solution yet? Several F1 teams have, opting to sell off parts of last year's cars for big bucks. And the latest to join the fold is Toyota.

Now available for purchase from the Toyota F1 team's online merchandise shop is a wide variety of spare parts and bodywork at various price points, ranging from a 200-euro alloy wheel (around $280 USD), brake disc or suspension wishbone all the way up to a full engine cover bodywork assembly pictured above, complete with underfloor and rear wing aerodynamic elements, for 5,000 euros (nearly $7,100). If that seems pricey, consider that's just a fraction of what you'd have to shell out for parts from a race-winning Ferrari, for example. In sports memorabilia, pedigree is worth its weight in gold, but when you consider that Toyota is ahead of Ferrari in the standings this season, now may be the best time to get that F1 nose-cone up on your wall. Think of it as an investment.

[Source: Toyota F1 via Inside Line]

Carbon Offset: Toyota sells F1 spare parts originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota to reportedly exit F1 if 2010 rules are not changed

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 10 May 2009 17:05:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

After the FIA's rule change to allow a two-tier budgetary and technical regulation system in F1 next year, Toyota is the first team to come out and say it might not contest the 2010 season. After publishing next year's regulations, the FIA made May 29 the final day for teams to declare their intention to race next year and pay the entry fee. Toyota F1 team president John Howett, who is also vice-president of the F1 Teams Alliance (FOTA), said that unless a new situation is agreed to he can't see Toyota signing up, and he suggested that other competitors feel the same.

The flexibility of technical regulations accorded the capped teams is part of the issue. Patrick Head of Williams F1 said that the adjustable rear wing would be worth up to two seconds a lap, and non-capped teams couldn't make that up anywhere else no matter how much they spent. But if the big teams were to choose caps, there would be huge personnel issues in order to get down to a £40 million budget.

Ferrari head Luca de Montezemolo has made noises about not continuing, but the team has conspicuously had no official comment on the entire situation. Teams like McLaren and Williams, and drivers, have also spoken against next year's regulations. The teams are scheduled to meet with Max Mosley before the Monaco Grand Prix in two weeks time. Hat tip to Jarrett

[Source: Guardian]

Toyota to reportedly exit F1 if 2010 rules are not changed originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 May 2009 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SPOILER ALERT: Spraying the Bubbly at the 2009 Bahrain Grand Prix

Noah Joseph — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:23:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Middle East

2009 Bahrain Grand Prix - Click above for a high-res image gallery

If you hadn't watched a single grand prix yet this season, hadn't read any F1-related news or even glanced at a headline, and hadn't spoken to a single racing fan for the past couple of months, you'd likely be shocked to find out how this season has unfolded so far, with the back-markers going from checkered pasts to checkered flags over the course of the winter break. But even at the break-neck speeds which modern F1 cars travel, you wouldn't need an elaborate explanation to catch up with the parade. All you'd need would be to look at the expression on the face of this weekend's race winner and you'd be there. Follow the jump to catch a glimpse.

Gallery: 2009 Bahrain Grand Prix

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: Spraying the Bubbly at the 2009 Bahrain Grand Prix

SPOILER ALERT: Spraying the Bubbly at the 2009 Bahrain Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hamilton, McLaren retroactively disqualified from Australian GP?

Noah Joseph — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Trends, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Last weekend's Australian Grand Prix, the season opener to the 2009 Formula One season, may have ushered in a new era in on-track competition, but the off-track politics are already back up to full swing.

Following the race, officials from the FIA convened to decide whether Toyota's Jarno Trulli had illegally passed McLaren's defending champion Lewis Hamilton behind the safety car. McLaren and Hamilton insisted the pass was illegal, but new evidence - namely radio transmissions between the two drivers and their pit crews - reportedly demonstrated indicated that Hamilton deliberately let Trulli by.

The new evidence was confirmed by a meeting of the FIA stewards in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where the second race of the season is scheduled to take place this coming weekend. Their decision? To take away Hamilton's and McLaren's points altogether, which may seem like a harsh punishment, but the stewards determined that Hamilton and McLaren had intentionally deceived the officials.

The adjusted rankings therefore bump Trulli up to third (in both the race results and the drivers' championship standings, since it was the first race of the season) and Toyota up to second in the constructors' championship, while McLaren remains outside the standings altogether as both their drivers were deemed not to have been classified in the race. Tune in on Sunday for our recap of the Malaysian Grand Prix, where hopefully the finishing order will actually be determined on the track and not in boardroom.

[Source: Autosport]

Hamilton, McLaren retroactively disqualified from Australian GP? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sink or Swim: Toyota could follow Honda out of F1 if the wins don't come

Noah Joseph — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 19:03:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota

Click above to view the Toyota TF109 in high resolution

Toyota has a reputation around the Formula One paddock for having the biggest budget with the least results. But that's all going to change, and change drastically, if the team doesn't start winning races, according to some new reports.

Although outgoing Toyota president Katsuaki Watanabe was reported to have rubber-stamped the company's continued participation in F1 following a recent review, his successor and founding family scion, Akio Toyoda, may feel otherwise. Toyoda will be taking the reigns at the company following the first year of decline in its history, and will likely be looking to curb expenditures. In good times, some companies can justify the enormous financial cost of competing in F1 for the positive image it attaches to their company. But that's only if they're out there winning races, or at least coming close. If Toyota can't score its first race win this year, the bean counters might have no choice but to follow fellow Japanese automaker Honda and pull out of the sport altogether. Click below for an updated gallery of the Toyota TF109, and follow the jump for a video.

Gallery: Toyota TF109

[Source: F1-Live]

Continue reading Sink or Swim: Toyota could follow Honda out of F1 if the wins don't come

Sink or Swim: Toyota could follow Honda out of F1 if the wins don't come originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Jan 2009 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Contender: Toyota reveals new TF109

Noah Joseph — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota

Click above to view high-res image gallery of the Toyota TF109

Following Ferrari's unveiling of its new F60, Toyota is the second team to release its new challenger for the 2009 Formula One season. Called the TF109, it's the only car unveiled exclusively online without a public reveal. Of course, looking at it, you could paint the remaining white panels red (and move the wing mirrors to the sidepods) and it would look pretty much like Ferrari's. That's because all the cars have to conform to the same set of new rules, so it was back to the drawing board for all the teams. Naturally that means it'll be hard to predict which teams and which drivers will have adapted to the new rules and new cars the best, but Toyota's veteran driver Jarno Trulli is confident that the team is due for its first victory this season.

Wait, what? Yeah, despite pouring unprecedented heaps of cash at its Cologne, Germany-based team, Toyota has yet to win a grand prix. They came the closest last season, finishing a respectable fifth place in the constructors' championship just behind the former champions at Renault, but together with his team-mate Timo Glock, the 2007 GP2 champion, Trulli hopes this year will change the team's fortunes and translate its vast resources into trophies. And this is the car with which they hope to do it. Press release after the jump and images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Toyota TF109

[Source: Panasonic Toyota Racing]

Continue reading The Contender: Toyota reveals new TF109

The Contender: Toyota reveals new TF109 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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