Toyota the first out of the 2003 blocks

The new TF103
By Site Staff
January 8 2003

Today was the day that Toyota proudly took the covers off it's brand new 2003 challenger, the TF103. The launch took place today at the Circuit Paul Ricard in the south of France in front of 400 media guests. The new car is lighter and generates a lot more downforce according to Gustav Brunner.

The new design, which has been labelled an 'evolution' by the team, is the joint work of Chief Designer Gustav Brunner and Manager of Car Design and Development Keizo Takahashi. "We have made gains with this car in every area," Brunner commented at the launch today. "I hope that we have come up with a good compromise between building a fast car, but also a reliable one. That is the challenge in Formula 1." The improvements to the TF102 have come about as a result of exhaustive testing of an intermediary TF102B fitted with the 2003 spec engine and a revolutionary 7-speed gear box.

The 2003 engine, the RVX-03 V10 is lighter and more powerful and hopefully as reliable as it's predecesor. "We have already tested the RVX-03 in the TF102B interim car and we have already a good feeling about progress made," commented Luca Marmorini, General Manager of Engine Development. "The priority was to reduce the weight of the engine, but at the same time maintain the reliability of last season's RVX-02."

A full presentation of pictures from todays launch will follow on this site shortly.

An extensive testing programme on the TF103 starts tomorrow (9th) at Paul Ricard, with Olivier Panis at the wheel of the new car and Cristiano da Matta in the interim TF102B. The team has made clear it's commitment to move forward within the sport in 2003, but it's expectations remain realistic.

"I would like to see us challenging competitively for points on a regular basis in 2003," says Vice-Chairman, Ove Andersson. "It is an ambitious target, but we have to aim high this year because we are no longer the new kids on the block. It is what everyone expects from Toyota as the world's third largest car manufacturer and we will do our utmost to achieve this goal."