Formula One news

Toyota optimistic of Turkish chances

Toyota heads east for the Turkish Grand Prix at the anti-clockwise Istanbul Park. Following the new package introduced for the last round in Spain, Toyota has more improvements this weekend, with aerodynamic changes made to further optimise the car.

"Turkey is an average circuit for most of the parameters - brakes, downforce and so on," said Toyota's senior general chassis manager Pascal Vasselon. "But the special factor you have in Turkey is Turn Eight, the long left-hander. This is a key corner and simply the most demanding of the season, which means it has a lot of consequences in terms of car balance and tyre usage. You can really say that the Istanbul circuit is all about this corner; it is one of the very few circuits where one corner is so significant. You have to make sure your package can handle it and this drives tyre selection."

"We go to Turkey with optimism because we have seen over the first four races that our car is competitive and able to challenge for the top six. It was unfortunate that a mix-up cost Jarno sixth in Spain but it was encouraging to again be fighting in that position," he added. "So the goal for this weekend clearly has to be a strong points finish, hopefully with both cars."

Vote or add to:

more news

• 13 May
  • Q&A with Timo Glock
  • First Singapore Grand Prix almost sold out
  • BMW boss confident for Monaco
  • Ferrari boss wary of rivals
• 12 May
  • Fisichella and Nakajima at odds over crash
  • McLaren had pace to win - Dennis
• 11 May
  • Ferrari celebrates fourth win
  • McLaren savours second place
  • Pointless day for Honda
  • Toro Rosso hoped for more
  • Disappointing day for Toyota
  • Tough day for Force India
  • Rosberg takes another point for Williams
  • Fourth consecutive points finish for Webber
  • Alonso scores three points for Renault
  • BMW Sauber continue strong performance
  • Three stops prevented tyre problems for Hamilton
  • Hamilton happy, explains three-stop plan
  • Massa delighted with third Turkish win
  • Massa storms to third Turkish win
  • Webber hopes to extend contract at Red Bull Racing
  • Barrichello celebrates 257th Grand Prix
  • Photos: Sunday at Istanbul Park
  • McLaren is closer to Ferrari - Kovalainen
  • Massa - warming tyres for start will be critical
• 10 May
  • BMW expected more from qualifying
  • Ferrari happy with first and fourth
  • Mixed qualifying result for Renault
  • McLaren upbeat with improved pace
  • Honda misses out on top ten
  • Vettel shines for Toro Rosso
  • Williams duo misses out on top ten
  • Disappointing qualifying for Force India
  • Red Bulls happily in top ten
  • Toyota rues 'shaky' qualifying
  • Hamilton not happy with third
  • Kovalainen comes back quicker
  • Massa savours pole, expects tough race
  • Massa flies to Turkish pole
  • Webber leads final practice in Istanbul

Homepage