Toyota TF109

[ben_watkins]

why were the flexy wings not spotted in scrutineering on Thursday?

[timbo]

Interestingly, report says "upper wing element". If it is on front wing this may be result of active aero malfunction.
OTOH this may be the case of "exploiting the rules". What if active element on front wing is allowed to flex when motor is on? And when car is stationary it becomes locked. So you'd have flexible wing + active aero.

[shir0]

However, following post-qualifying technical inspections by the FIA, it was found that the team's rear wing elements were in breach of the rules.

It was the rear wing upper element.

[zgred]

Wow!
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/74008

Let the season of controversy and bitching begin!

It is rolling intensively - Williams protest legality of F60 and RB5!

[DM0407]

Max and Bernie have been trying to break FOTA up all year. Who knew it would be so easy?

[ISLAMATRON]

why were the flexy wings not spotted in scrutineering on Thursday?

Excellent question... maybe they were designed to start flexing more after some use... diabolically ingenious!

[Metar]

Or, simpler yet - perhaps reflection under load wasn't checked thoroughly enough, and the scrutinizers focused on dimensions, and the diffuser-issue?

[epitaf]

why were the flexy wings not spotted in scrutineering on Thursday?

Excellent question... maybe they were designed to start flexing more after some use... diabolically ingenious!

Toyota press release makes it sounds like they had previously been tested.. maybe they weakened after a few days use?

Maybe this wasn't spotted on Thursday because it hadn't been looked for?
With so many things to check, I wouldn't be surprised if each item to check was only done once per car, sort of like a rota of what gets checked and when?

[cba_]

So i can guess there is no video or picture where it is flexing

[vasia]

Lots of subtle changes were introduced during testing to the TF109, not really talked about much. Subtle changes on the front tuning vanes under the nose, the rear end packaging was made a bit tighter directly in front of the rear wing, subtle changes were made to the diffuser.

As for the subtle flat edge on the shark fin, scarbs is right. It was added to control flow, particularly under yaw helping to stabilize airflow to the rear wing. Subsequently it should help balance and stability under high winds.

As for the Australia race, big dissapointment about the qualifying penalty and then the race penalty. Very impressive pace from both drivers storming from the rear of the grid. Also good reliability. What Toyota showed in winter testing also showed in the race. What's interesting is how well would have Toyota done if they had kept their original qualifying positions? They should do very well in Sepang. Trulli thought his car was "fantastic" under race conditions in Australia, and Glock thought his car was "mega" when he switched to the super soft tires late in the race.

Very little has been said about this, but lots of credit and kudos to Toyota for getting Frank Dernie as part of the team. I am sure that part of the reason why the TF109 is such a good car is thanks to Dernie's knowledge and experience.

[zgred]

Steering wheel

[zgred]

[ben_watkins]

Brundle just said that the Toyota is running a "triple deck" diffuser!!!!!!

[scarbs]

Brundle just said that the Toyota is running a "triple deck" diffuser!!!!!!

Yes and it has been since the first day of testing in January. I think he means the extra 15cm channel behind the double deck diffuser.

[vasia]

I'm not sure why people are noticing the triple "deck" of Toyota's diffuser only now. They've experimented with the triple deck on their diffuser early in winter testing. In testing they were even sometimes running it asymmetrically with the third deck only on one side of the diffuser.