Can Toyota Win this year?

[doodzed]

yeah...and he's quick..okay maybe only in quali, but thats still more often than Ralf!

Ralf and Trulli remind me of Damon. If everything is going well they are good drivers. On certain days they are great drivers. But on some days they are just average for F1. If they have a superior car they can win a championship. On a day that everything comes together they are capable of a great performance. I do not see them putting a season together unless the car is great.

Dont forget, Damon almost won in an Arrows. Man was that a race. But it seems like Michael or Kimi tend to always have a great drive in them even if the car is not up to it. Trulli and Ralf may have an average drive if the car is great.

And Montoya seems to always have a great drive in him... just sometimes it is too great for equipment or conditions. Kimi is learning when to preserve equipment... something Michael learned in sports cars.

Does anyone else think that by having guys only do single seaters for 1 hour at a time may ruin great drivers? It seems to me they do not learn that a great drive may not be the fastest drive.

[DaveKillens]

Does anyone else think that by having guys only do single seaters for 1 hour at a time may ruin great drivers? It seems to me they do not learn that a great drive may not be the fastest drive.

Personally, I beieve it's part of a driver's personality. Most often, the "great" drivers are there every race, and despite the car condition or handicap, they put out 100% and try with every thing they have.
I have seen this in other forms of motorsport, not only in F1. But sadly, the nature of F1 racing allows a driver to "coast" on certain occasions. If you're in a track where overtaking is almost impossible, then the driver just follows around.. and no one really notices they don't have heart that day.
That's why one of the most cherished places to win is Monaco. Not only for the prestige and glamour, but drivers know that to do well, you have to put your heart into it, and put in a career performance.

[f1.redbaron]

Can the win? I hope. But one thing is for sure - it looks like they're going all out this year:

"The TF106B will be ready in time for the Monaco Grand Prix."

http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=107193

[Spencifer_Murphy]

LMAO! wow! BUT....it is expected to be honest. They brought out the TF105B very late in 2005...people slagged them off "they are just showing off their money" etc. But it is true, the development of the cars is just one long continuation. The TF105 looked like the 104 (with exception of the wings), the 104 like the 103 (with exception of the new rules with regards wings etc), the 106 looks like the 105B....but they all go over a long and steady design, by end of 2006 the TF106 will look very different....but when they unveil the TF107 i think it will look the same as the TF106B that finishes the 2006 season!

[terrorist22]

Well, Ferrari has done the same thing since the F2001. And since the TF102 was pretty much Ferrari-based, Toyota's development is understandable.

[emburmak]

Toyota have shown the financial muscle and the where withall to do whatever is required to get to the top. I for one believe they will achieve it.

[DaveKillens]

It appears Toyota is going at a speed of development that will soon leave the rest in their dust. They intend to have major upgrades on a very regular basis. Watch as the season unfolds. Most teams will upgrade on their regular bass, while every few weeks Toyota will bring major changes much quicker.

[RH1300S]

This takes me slightly OT. It seems obvious that if the FIA were interested in cost cutting, they would introduce a rule to limit bodywork (& other) changes during a season.

[Spencifer_Murphy]

I think they are actually going to do that, when the concorde agreement runs out at the end of 2007. I think the rule is (IIRC);

Only 2 aerodynamic changes to the car can be made during a season.

Obviously thats not the FIA's exact wording, but u get the idea. I think they are planning to introduce that rule in 2008.

[monkeyboy1976]

You're right about the 2 changes per year rule.
The problem is specifying how much change can be made.
Toyota are doing a good thing in thinking ahead and organising their design teams to make work in shorter cycles and developing revisions for release twice a year. Making the most of their two windtunnels!

[RH1300S]

I think they are actually going to do that, when the concorde agreement runs out at the end of 2007. I think the rule is (IIRC);

Only 2 aerodynamic changes to the car can be made during a season.

Obviously thats not the FIA's exact wording, but u get the idea. I think they are planning to introduce that rule in 2008.

Thanks, I should have known that........ So, I'll only add "why not sooner?" Answers NOT required

[manchild]

Flavio Briatore:

“We have a simple rule: the priority is what makes the car go faster. We are proud of the efficiency of the team. Last year, Renault won the championship with three times’ less money than some of our competitors. There is always pressure at the start of a championship, and there is no point hiding from it now. 2005 was an exceptional season for us, and we hope to do it again this year.”

three times’ less money

[Guest]

Toyota sure are looking silent but deadly at the moment. I wouldn't be surprised if they get a win this year.

[Spencifer_Murphy]

True, Toyota really are keeping their cards close to thier chest this year. They will be a tem I am watching with interest.

[reinmuster]

Toyota will win GP this year.