In a low key unveiling on the net today, Toyota revealed their new car for 2009, the TF109. Parts of the package were some odd little videos giving additional shots of the car and drivers, without sound, making it seem as though the team held its breath with the future looming large over its shoulder. Regardless of company press releases, I get the feeling that this is the make-or-break year for Toyota.
Toyota TF109
The car itself is the epitome of Toyota design, so like its predecessors as to leave us wondering what has changed. If there is going to be a norm for the look of this season's cars, the Toyota must surely be it; the TF109 is exactly what the new regulations intended and there seems no attempt to exploit loopholes or retain dubious aerodynamic features.
Strangely for a Toyota, the result is a car that looks more finished and developed than any of the others seen so far. It works as a complete concept and, to my eye, is more visually satisfying than the Ferrari F60; it looks balanced and unfussy. Complaints will be heard about the livery, of course, but the retention of Toyota's established colors and style allow the car to be instantly recognizable as a Toyota. I am not a fan of garish and "exciting" color schemes anyway, considering that the quieter liveries let the true character of a car make the necessary statements.
Toyota has set their goal this year as a race win and the TF109 looks capable of it, in my opinion. The team has much going for it apart from the simplicity and purposeful new design - the drivers are capable and work well together, the team is well established and must surely be hungry for success by now. Even the likely delay in implementing KERS may work for the team, there being no guarantee that having a working system will be any advantage at all.
I have not thought much of Toyota's chances in previous years but this time round I have a funny feeling. If you fancy having a bet on an outsider to do well in 2009, I would say that Toyota could be the one to go for...