Toyota TF109

Category

Constructor

Predecessor

Technical specifications

Chassis

Carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite monocoque

Suspension (front)

Independent suspension, pushrod activated torsion springs

Suspension (rear)

As front

Engine

Toyota RVX-09 2.4L V8, naturally aspirated, mid-mounted

Transmission

Toyota 7 forward gears + 1 reverse, semi-automatic

Fuel

Esso

Tyres

Bridgestone

Competition history

Notable entrants

Panasonic Toyota Racing

Notable drivers

Jarno Trulli
10.

Timo Glock
10.

Kamui Kobayashi

Debut

2009 Australian Grand Prix

Races	Wins	Podiums	Poles	F.Laps
17	0	5	1	2

The Toyota TF109 was the Toyota Racing Formula One car for the 2009 Formula One season. It was revealed online on Toyota's website on 15 January 2009 and made its track debut on 18 January at the Autódromo Algarve. As far as performance went, the car was extraordinarily inconsistent. It started the season well with three podium finishes in the first four races as it got the jump on rival teams with the "double-decker" diffuser. In the span of only two races however, the TF109 went from locking out the front row in Bahrain to locking out the back row in Monaco. The car from then on was uncompetitive despite a few glimmers of hope in Singapore when Timo Glock finished 2nd and Japan when Jarno Trulli also finished second.

At the Australian Grand Prix and the Malaysian Grand Prix races, an official complaint was launched by other teams against the rear diffusers of the Williams FW31, Toyota TF109 and the Brawn BGP 001 saying that they were illegal, but after analysing the cars the FIA deemed that the cars were legal. Three teams appealed against the decision, and after much deliberating the cars were again deemed to "comply with the applicable regulations" by the FIA.

Following the qualifying sessions, stewards deemed the rear wing of the TF109 to be flexible beyond what is allowed by the 2009 regulations. Both cars were therefore excluded from the qualifying classifications and started the race from the pitlane, fitted with replacement wings. Both cars completed the race, Trulli and Glock crossing the line in third and fifth respectively, however Trulli was given a 25-second penalty for passing Lewis Hamilton during the final safety car period, dropping him to 12th. After further investigation it was discovered that Lewis Hamilton had purposely let Trulli through. The penalty given to Trulli was removed and Hamilton subsequently disqualified from the Australian GP. Hamilton's removal was based upon misinformation given by the McLaren team during an initial investigation.

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Wikipedia