Toyota launch date set

[Super Tourer]

Toyota will launch their TF105 on the 8th of January 2005.

Interesting comment is that wind tunnel results show that depite the new regulations limiting downforce, the levels on the 2005 car will match that of 2004.

However, the 2004 car was not the most effective on the grid and the TF105 is the first pure Gascoyne car to enter a Toyota wind tunnel so comparisons are not that clear cut.

But it does add to the feeling that despite initial mixed comments from drivers testing interim cars, by the time pure 2005 cars hit the track plenty of lost downforce will have been clawed back.

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns14021.html

We will do a full round up of launch and testing 'dates for your diary' in the new year!

[MikeHoyer]

This should be an interesting year for Toyota, Gascoyne arrived too late to have much influence on the 04, and despite everything that was said, you knew it wasn't going to be that great.

Now that he's been there a year, it will be interesting to see if he has worked any miracles. Toyota, the BAR of 2005 anyone? :P

[Gt_R]

I think it'd take more than a season. Toyota would climb up the leadership board..but i won't expect too much. At least, now they seem to have a serious team.

Anyway, talking about launch date...it's getting increasingly redundant when what we see during launch is not the real deal anyway.

[Jordi]

Well, normally all except Ferrari reveal their cars more or less unchanged. Such examples like BAR, Williams or Renault couldn't use last year's wing packages simply because they were so different. Generally, a new car with last year's front wing is acceptable, but a F2002 without any sidepod winglets isn't, as the sidepods seems to be the area where most development goes lately.
Unless it is forced... remember BAR had to "present" a 002 painted in 2001 colors because Jacques had crashed with the only 003 chassis available!

It's just my opinion though!