Toyota's Gascoyne and Marmorini on Japanese GP
The Panasonic Toyota Racing Team heads to Japan for one of the most important races of the season for the team. The Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka is a home race for the Toyota Team. We listen to Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director Chassis and Luca Marmorini, Technical Director Engine.
Mike Gascoyne “The Japanese Grand Prix is perhaps the most important race of the season for all of us at Panasonic Toyota Racing. Alongside the European GP at the Nürburgring, which is just 45 minutes from our factory in Cologne, the Japanese GP is very much a home race for Toyota. The support of the Toyota family during the weekend and all of the fans really helps the motivation of the entire team. We have enjoyed a successful season so far with four podiums and lying fourth in the championship, but our development never stops. Suzuka will be an important race for us also in this respect. With the competitive Toyota TF105 package, our two excellent race drivers Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli and the support of the Toyota family members and Japanese fans the Panasonic Toyota Racing team will surely be fighting for the podium in Suzuka this year. From a personal point of view, I always enjoy travelling to Japan. It is a resplendent country with great food, nice people and an interesting culture.”
Luca Marmorini “Each grand prix has a distinctive feel and atmosphere, usually dictated by the spectators and fans who visit the circuit over the grand prix weekend. This is precisely what makes the Japanese Grand Prix one of the most special events of the entire season. The enthusiasm, support and welcome we get from the fans, especially as a Formula 1 team of a Japanese corporation, is unbelievable and often overwhelming. I think every member of the team feels the support and encouragement from the Japanese fans, especially when we see all the flags, posters, and messages in the grandstands over the race weekend. From an engine point of view Suzuka Circuit is extremely challenging and this, combined with our desire to perform well in front of Toyota’s home fans, means that we try to always introduce a new specification upgrade to the engine for this race to enhance the car’s overall performance. The fuel effect at Suzuka is also one of the highest of the season, so we have to find a good compromise in the race between saving fuel wherever possible and maximising performance. Our TF105/RVX-05 package has performed well this season and I think that another podium result would be a fitting result for Panasonic Toyota Racing in Suzuka.”
