TF103 development suffered


By Andrew Hooper
August 21 2003

 

 

  
TF103 development suffered
 
It was admitted, in a recent interview in Autosport magazine, by Toyota's chief designer Gustav Brunner that development on the TF103 had suffered in the early part of the season but that things were back on track.

In the interview Brunner said: "Then we had a little bit of a dip in development, but now we're going up again."

As for what caused this slump Brunner added that some of the developments on the car did not work and also the time lost focus. Brunner said: "Not all the developments work and after the start of the season we all went a little tired.'

But recent developments including a new aero package and revised engine configuration saw both Toyota drivers benefit. Brunner explained: "Front wing, bargeboards, sidepods - that all gave us maybe a couple of tenths."

As for what the team had in the pipe line Brunner continued by saying: "We've got some new carbon suspension coming. The wishbones are still steel, you see."

Also he commented on the 2004 car by saying that the team was making progress with the new car already in the wind tunnel and items such as the gearbox in production..

Brunner said: "And we've already got the model in the [wind] tunnel, so that programme has been started. We want to make a big step forward next year - we're relying on it."