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[KyrosV]

how do you think it will perform?

also have you noticed it looks a bit like the new ferrari? in a way with the side pods and front end and those wheel covers... is this a cheap way to success?

[texasmr2]

how do you think it will perform?

also have you noticed it looks a bit like the new ferrari? in a way with the side pods and front end and those wheel covers... is this a cheap way to success?

Impersonation is the most sincere form of flattery it's nothing new in F1.

[McLaren Fan]

Toyota have only started to put some modern looking bits on their car, but even they look like outmoded versions of what we've already seen for several years now. They may make a step forward, but I can't see it being very big.

[texasmr2]

Yah I agree McLaren Fan. I'm thinking that with their two year announcement, whatever it mean's, this year will be gradual change's and in '09 and '10 we will hopefully see DRAMATIC change's.

[darwin dali]

They only HAVE two more years before Toyota may pull the plug if they don't perform better - remember the statement by the Japanese suit?

[7UpJordan]

Looks like they have finally at least tried to make the car look something different, but it still looks boring and same-ey.

[McLaren Fan]

At least Glock is realistic about matters. Sometimes the way forward is to go backwards slightly. From autosport.com:

Glock expects short term struggle

By Matt Beer Wednesday, January 16th 2008, 09:46 GMT

Timo GlockTimo Glock has warned that Toyota could initially take a step backwards while they work to understand their very different 2008 car.

The team have taken a new direction with the TF108 chassis in the wake of two disappointing seasons, and while Glock was positive after his first test in the new car, he admitted that there was a lot of work to do.

"What is clear is that we can't think the new car is the new 'wonderbaby' and we will be five seconds quicker or whatever," Glock told reporters at Jerez.

"It's a completely different car compared to the old car, and first of all we have to find out how the car is and how we can improve it.

"It has a longer wheelbase, it's completely different aerodynamically. We have to understand it and how it works, and then just improve it from test to test.

"Overall, it's more consistent. The positive side is it's more stable on the rear and that makes it a bit easier to drive. I think to find out the problems is a little bit easier with this car than the old car."

Glock is confident that Toyota's decision to make a fresh start with their 2008 design will ultimately pay off even if it initially costs the team ground.

"It would be a disappointment to be slower than last year's car, but that's not the case at the moment," he said.

"The question is how everybody else develops their cars. The point is that we have a completely new car and completely new aerodynamics, and that's what we need to understand.

"It could be a little step back, but in the end it will pay off when we understand how the car works and make it quicker."

The German was satisfied with the car's pace in yesterday's test, and believes Toyota already have a clear idea of how to improve it.

"Today we are just one second off. Okay, in F1 a second is a lot, but for the first roll-out and proper test I think it is okay," he said.

"We know where we have to develop the car, and that is quite positive.

"We have to develop the car aero-wise, top speed-wise, and make it more efficient, that's quite clear. But at the end, we have to develop in every direction."

Glock remains confident that Toyota can turn their fortunes around in the longer-term.

"We still have hard work to do in the next month," he said.

"What is clear is that we have to work even harder than all the other teams, and we can't do that in two or three months. We need more time, and that's what we have.

"But I'm really happy that the team is still really motivated. It's good fun to work with them, and I think there are a lot of good ideas on how we can improve the car."

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Trulli: Toyota to fight Renault, BMW

By Michele Lostia and Pablo Elizalde Wednesday, February 20th 2008, 13:17 GMT

Jarno Trulli during testing at BarcelonaJarno Trulli is hopeful his Toyota team will be able to fight behind Ferrari and McLaren after having found a lot more performance in the new TF108.

Although the Japanese squad have not shone during winter testing, the introduction of new aerodynamic components has left Trulli upbeat about the team's chances for the 2008 season.

The Italian still reckons, however, that Ferrari and McLaren are ahead, but he believes Toyota will be able to fight for third place with BMW and Renault.

"I don't know how the others are doing, but it seems to me the Ferrari is really quick," Trulli told autosport.com at Barcelona. "Some have said the championship is already over.

"The season is long, but if a team like Ferrari start this well it won't be easy to make up the lost ground.

"So we'll see what the Ferrari will be like here, with their new aerodynamic configuration. Then at Melbourne we'll have a better idea of what the season is going to be like.

"But I expect Ferrari and McLaren in front, and behind them I hope there can be Toyota too, along with Renault and BMW. I want to believe in it.

"I think the Ferrari can be around half a second faster than the McLaren, with the others behind. This is just my opinion, it's not based on real data.

"I think we can do better than last year, which wasn't good for us. First of all let's start over again in a better direction. With a potential like Toyota's great things can be done. We need to believe in it and maybe it'll take time."

Toyota scored just 13 points last year and are hoping for much better things with the TF108, which is a departure from previous cars.

Trulli admits he is much more optimistic for this year after having worked with the car during the winter.

"I'm happy because the car compared to last year is definitely better," he added. "I'm much more confident: in Bahrain we went rather well, also because we were up against Ferrari, and in my opinion they go really really quick.

"We aren't close but in my opinion we can do well, we can be up there in the top six or seven, I hope. Next week we'll understand where we are and what we can do this year.

"I'm confident, the team have worked well and the car, as I said in Jerez, is a totally new car and several problems we had last year have been solved. There's more stability, it's easier to work. There are other problems but they can be solved little by little. The basis is definitely better. Now we'll have to carry on developing it throughout the year.

"The car is overall better, while the balance still needs to be defined because we've done proper running only in Bahrain. In Jerez and Valencia we most of all tried to understand the high and low points of the car in general.

"I have to say I'm doing really well over the long distance, with a very quick race pace. Over the single lap there are some difficulties."

[7UpJordan]

Trulli thinks his Senna-esque qualifying skills will do the trick. Well they don't seem to be working at the moment do they Jarno?

[McLaren Fan]

Trulli thinks his Senna-esque qualifying skills will do the trick. Well they don't seem to be working at the moment do they Jarno?

Did they ever work? In the race his speed totally deserts him. Senna knew that if he could get a good grid slot, he had the speed, guile and intelligence to stay there or not lose too many places. Trulli may get somewhere decent on the grid and as soon as the lights turn green, he's already going backwards.

If Toyota (or Honda) for that matter come third in the constructors' championship and/or get some decent results, anything really could happen. The dead could wake, terminally ill patients would be cured, AKR will become a McLaren supporter and I a tifosi.

[7UpJordan]

Trulli thinks his Senna-esque qualifying skills will do the trick. Well they don't seem to be working at the moment do they Jarno?

Did they ever work? In the race his speed totally deserts him. Senna knew that if he could get a good grid slot, he had the speed, guile and intelligence to stay there or not lose too many places. Trulli may get somewhere decent on the grid and as soon as the lights turn green, he's already going backwards.

If Toyota (or Honda) for that matter come third in the constructors' championship and/or get some decent results, anything really could happen. The dead could wake, terminally ill patients would be cured, AKR will become a McLaren supporter and I a tifosi.

Nope, they sure never did, Trulli would always make a crap start and drop through the field - or in the case of Turkey last year, drop right to the back.

Trulli will soon start getting desperate and will probably become a mobile chicane in order to defend his position.

[McLaren Fan]

Toyota and Honda should clear off in my view. I'm sick of hearing all their pathetic sob stories as they try to explain their ineptitude. They've given nothing to the sport, except a bad name.

Instead of Toyota and Honda, I would much rather see real teams back in the sport. Names like Lotus, Tyrell etc. would be worth getting excited about. Apart from Ferrari, McLaren and Williams, are there any iconic Formula One teams left that we would really sob over if they left the sport?

[f1ea]

McLaren Fan

I a tifosi.

So you're saying there is a chance?

[McLaren Fan]

McLaren Fan

I a tifosi.

So you're saying there is a chance?

As good a chance as Toyota coming third in the constructors' championship.

Just a disclaimer, however. Should Toyota come third due some transcendental occurrence, I will still be supporting McLaren. Sorry Gregg and AKR.

[Denthúl]

Toyota and Honda should clear off in my view. I'm sick of hearing all their pathetic sob stories as they try to explain their ineptitude. They've given nothing to the sport, except a bad name.

Instead of Toyota and Honda, I would much rather see real teams back in the sport. Names like Lotus, Tyrell etc. would be worth getting excited about. Apart from Ferrari, McLaren and Williams, are there any iconic Formula One teams left that we would really sob over if they left the sport?

And Jordan and Minardi, of course.

However, Honda have contributed a lot to the sport, just not as a works team. But they're trying to change that, which you have to respect them for. The same cannot be said for Toyota, though. Also, I think that over time a few other teams will become as iconic as those three you mentioned. BMW Sauber, if they start winning, will probably reach that stage provided they can stay in the sport for another decade and win a championship or two. I'd be pretty saddened if BMW or Red Bull left the sport, come to think of it. They've already made a fair impact in their short time in Formula 1, and I think they've definitely earned their place.