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Panasonic Toyota Racing
Panasonic Toyota Racing is on home ground this weekend for the European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, which is located only around an hour’s drive away from the team’s factory in Cologne, Germany.

The team is determined to reward its home fans with more points after another promising, but ultimately frustrating, race weekend at Silverstone. Ralf Schumacher showed the potential of the TF107 by qualifying a season-best sixth but neither he nor team-mate Jarno Trulli finished the race. After the high-speed corners of Magny-Cours and Silverstone, the Nürburgring represents a return to medium downforce specification. As with most races this season, the team brings an upgraded car to the Nürburgring, with small aerodynamic improvements since the British Grand Prix. Jarno celebrated his 33rd birthday on 13 July with a visit to the factory to give his technical input prior to this weekend’s race, when the team aims to return to the points.

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Panasonic Toyota Racing
Ralf Schumacher was born into racing and the Panasonic Toyota Racing driver retains his youthful love of speed, even in his 10th year of Formula 1.
Ralf was born in Hürth and grew up in nearby Kerpen, just a few miles from Panasonic Toyota Racing’s factory in Cologne, Germany, and soon enough he was joining what was rapidly becoming the family profession. The Schumacher family was very much focused on motorsport very early in Ralf’s life – and he quickly developed a passion for speed.

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STANDARD DAMP

Panasonic Toyota Racing today completed its week’s testing with a solid day of running at Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps. Following yesterday’s rain-afflicted test at the same circuit, the track was again wet for the start of the day’s action. There was no rain in the morning but the skies were grey and the tarmac took a long time to dry out. The changing track surface made comparisons difficult but Jarno did some running to test tyres in different conditions. When the track dried out in the sun after lunch he successfully completed a programme that included set-up for the Belgian Grand Prix along with suspension, aerodynamics work and starts. Toyota’s next racing appointment is the European Grand Prix next week at the Nürburgring, the closest circuit to the team’s Cologne factory. Continue Reading »

MUST DRY ARDENNES

Panasonic Toyota Racing returned to the track today for the second day of the week’s test programme at Spa-Francorchamps with Ralf Schumacher in the cockpit. After yesterday’s unlikely sunny weather, today was a return to typical conditions in the Ardennes. There was overnight rain at the circuit so some of the track was damp for the morning session. That delayed the start for Toyota because it is important not to waste mileage given the limitations in the 2007 testing regulations. When the tarmac had dried shortly before 11am Ralf ventured onto the circuit to begin the programme of work on the engine, coolers and other systems. There was a heavy shower over lunch so the story was similar in the afternoon with another delayed start. Following further rain an hour later the team opted to do some wet running. But there was too much variation in track conditions to allow any meaningful conclusions to be drawn. After yet another shower at 4pm the team carried out only a few practice starts to wrap up the day. The test concludes tomorrow with Jarno Trulli at the wheel. Continue Reading »

SPA RETURN
Panasonic Toyota Racing today took part in the first official Formula 1 test to take place at Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps circuit. It is two years since cars last raced at the legendary venue but this year’s Belgian Grand Prix is scheduled at the Ardennes track for September. All the F1 teams have chosen to attend this three-day test, which gives them a valuable opportunity to begin preparations for that race along with work for the four events that are scheduled before then. Despite the usual gloomy forecast for this region, there was no rain today and much of the action took place in glorious sunshine. After last weekend’s disappointing race at Silverstone the Toyota test team returned to work today with Ralf Schumacher at the helm. Ralf kicked off the week’s work on set-up and tyres for the race at Spa and carried out compa risons of dampers and other systems. He will continue the test tomorrow.

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After the Canadian Grand Prix, the Formula One community was buzzing with two subjects which were both centered on Formula One rookie drivers. One of which is the win posted by rookie Lewis Hamilton who was driving for McLaren. The young British racing driver set another record for extending his streak of podium finishes in his first season to six while taking his maiden win.

The other issue being talked about on Formula One circles is the unfortunate fate of BMW Sauber�s rookie driver Robert Kubica. While the Polish driver started his tour of duty for BMW Sauber last year replacing Jacques Villeneuve, this year marks his first full season as a Formula One driver.

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