COLOGNE, Germany — Toyota’s new TF108, launched at the team’s F-1 base in Cologne, Germany on Jan. 10, has a design concept that’s different from the cars that have evolved over the last three years.
“We did this for two reasons,” Pascal Vasselon, senior general manager for chassis explained when asked why the team decided on the new philosophy.
“We have an ongoing analysis about what makes a car fast. The conclusion was, looking at the aerodynamics, that not only does good efficiency matter, the consistency of the aerodynamic characteristics is definitely important.
“At the same time, we knew that the regulations were going to change, with a standard ECU and the ban of traction control and engine braking. For us, an easy and direct analysis of the impact of this regulation was that it would create more demands in terms of stability.
“So these two analysis combined made it an easy decision to go for a different concept. We want to give the drivers a comfortable car with better stability. So the decision to lengthen the wheelbase was easy to make as well.”
The primary aerodynamic design philosophy for the TF108 is geared toward optimizing the entire package to minimize balance and downforce changes throughout a lap, thereby producing a more drivable, aerodynamically robust car.
“Between braking, turning in, and the mid-corner, the balance and the consistency of the car will be much better,” Vasselon said.
The weight distribution has changed, but Vasselon declined to give more details. He did say, however, that the TF108 will suit the current generation of Bridgestones much better than the TF107 did.
“The rear tire lacks cornering stiffness,” he said, “so you need to gain back stability. And the wheelbase is one very efficient way to gain back stability.”