Information about Toyota

History of Toyota in F1

Toyota has only been competing in Formula One since 2002 and has yet to win a race. Toyota opened its base in Koln, Germany in 2000, with the F1 V10 engine getting its first test drive for the team. The following year saw the launch of the test car in France and in 2002 they made their Formula One entrance and finished tenth. 2003 saw major improvements to the car and the team claimed eighth position in the constructors’ championship and the same in 2004. 2005 saw two pole positions and five podium finishes, which took the team up to fourth in the constructors’ standings. The next two years were disappointing for Toyota but 2008 brought some light relief to the team with points scored in 12 of the 18 races and a final position of fifth.

Toyota information

Tadashi Yamashina is the Toyota principal and the headquarters are based in the German city of Koln. The Bridgestone Potenza is the tyre of choice and the Toyota RVX-09 engine with a TF109 chassis make up the internal mechanical design. The team has retained the drivers of the 2008 season, with veteran driver Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock leading the way for 2009.

Technical details and statistics

Toyota has taken a similar line to Williams on their definition on the new rules affecting the rear diffuser, by creating an additional central section by reshaping the rear crash structure; the team has successfully avoided the maximum 175mm rule, which is inevitably raising questions of exploitation.

Base: Koln, Germany
Team principal: Tadashi Yamashina
Main drivers: Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock
Engine: Toyota RVX-09
Chassis: TF109
Tyres: Bridgestone Potenza
Debut F1 season: 2002
World Championship titles: 0
Highest race finish: 2nd (x3)
Pole positions: 2
Fastest lap times: 1

Driver no.1: Jarno Trulli

Jarno Trulli was born in Pescara and became a test driver for Benetton in 1996, after winning the German Formula Three Championship title. The following year he drove for Minardi before switching to Prost where he finished ninth. The Italian scored his first podium in 1999 before joining Jordan in 2000 and claiming tenth position in the final standings. 2002 welcomed a move to Renault and he claimed his first victory in 2004 in Monaco, before making his exit to the Toyota team with only three races remaining. Still at Toyota, Trulli picked up points in 10 out of 18 races last year and has retained his place for the 2009 campaign.

Statistics
Nationality: Italian
Date of birth: 13/07/1974
World Championship titles: 0
Number of Grands Prix won: 1
Pole positions: 3
Career points: 214
Podiums: 8

Driver no.2: Timo Glock

Timo Glock was born in Lindenfels and he made his first appearance in the motor racing world in 2000, when he triumphed in the BMW-ADAC Formula Junior Cup. The German won the next stage up in the same competition in 2001 before coming third in the German Formula Three in 2002. Glock competed in the International F3 Euro Series in 2003 and in 2004; he made his debut in Formula One with the Jordon team. He competed in various championships and races outside of Formula One and was named as the BMW Sauber test driver before securing a position in the Toyota team for the 2008 season. Glock took his first podium finish and finished tenth with 25 points.

Statistics
Nationality: German
Date of birth: 18/03/1982
World Championship titles: 0
Number of Grands Prix won: 0
Pole positions: 0
Career points: 27
Podiums: 1