TOYOTA TF105

   Already during the 2004 season, work began at Toyota Motorsports GmbH (TMG), the team’s European headquarters based in Cologne, Germany, on the design and production of the new TF105, the single-seater used by Toyota in the 2005 season. Designed by Mike Gascoyne, it was the first car entirely developed by the English engineer, who had arrived in Cologne in December 2003 and was therefore unable to give significant input to the design of the TF104. Work on the TF105 began in mid-2004, when development of the disappointing TF104 was abandoned, in order to comply with the new technical regulations set to come into effect the following season. The main focus was the power unit, a task entrusted to Italian Luca Marmorini (Engine Technical Director), since starting in 2005 the rule requiring the same engine to be used for two races would come into force. Many other components of the car were designed from scratch, with the workload divided so that Technical Director Mike Gascoyne oversaw the overall design of the car, while the chassis was built under the direction of Gustav Brunner. Italian Nicolò Petrucci, arriving from Jordan, was hired as Head of Aerodynamics, replacing René Hilhorst.

TOYOTA TF105, Ralf Schumacher
Montecarlo, Monaco GP 2005  

   The TF105 did not differ greatly in form from the previous TF104, though it introduced substantial mechanical innovations and aerodynamic refinements. The new single-seater featured a lighter, reinforced carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, with a raised front end in compliance with the new regulations. The rear wing was brought closer to the rear axle and now featured long, particularly shaped endplates, while the sidepods incorporated long chimney-style air outlets and a series of small winglets. The design of the front suspension wishbones was particularly original, with profiles intended to improve airflow. As in 2004, Toyota also introduced a “B” version of the car at the end of the 2005 season, debuting in Japan with revised front suspension mounted higher, and a heavily reworked floor, later to be used on the future TF106.

TOYOTA TF105, Ralf Schumacher
Melbourne, Australian GP 2005

   With the new 2005 technical regulations requiring engines to last two consecutive races, Toyota’s engine department faced a major challenge. During the 2004 season, the team had managed to extend the lifespan of the RVX-04 engine from 400 km to 800 km, but the new rules forced Luca Marmorini and his technical staff to double engine reliability once again. The new RVX-05 V10 achieved a lifespan of nearly 1,500 km, maintaining remarkable reliability (with only one failure all season) and an impressive output of 940 hp at 19,000 rpm. The new V10 was paired with a new seven-speed semi-automatic sequential gearbox built by Toyota and derived from an X-trac model. Panasonic Toyota Racing unveiled its new car in front of 200 journalists and guests at the historic Estació de França railway station in Barcelona, Spain. At the same event, the team also officially presented its new drivers: German Ralf Schumacher and Italian Jarno Trulli, with Brazilian Ricardo Zonta serving as the Friday test driver and Frenchman Olivier Panis continuing development work as test driver throughout the season.

TOYOTA TF105, Ralf Schumacher
Interlagos, Brazilian GP 2005

   After its first pre-season outings, the TF105 surprised observers with significantly better performance than its predecessor. At the season opener in Australia, however, both TF105s fell short of expectations, with Trulli finishing ninth and Schumacher twelfth. From the second race in Malaysia, results improved markedly, with Trulli achieving four consecutive points finishes, including two second places and a third. Schumacher also secured a fifth and a fourth place, leaving Toyota second in the Constructors’ Championship after five rounds. In the following races, Schumacher outperformed Trulli, collecting another third place in the Hungarian Grand Prix, while the Italian failed to return to the podium for the remainder of the season. The TF105 is also remembered for Ralf Schumacher’s frightening accident during Friday practice at the 2005 United States Grand Prix. On the circuit’s final banked corner, also used by IndyCars but in the opposite direction, his Toyota slammed violently into the concrete barriers after a tire failure, causing severe injuries. He was airlifted to the nearest hospital, and Ricardo Zonta replaced him for the rest of the weekend. However, due to safety concerns over Michelin tires, the French supplier withdrew all of its tire sets for the race, preventing its teams from competing in the Grand Prix.

TOYOTA TF105, Jarno Trulli
Catalunya-Barcelona, Spanish GP 2005

   Despite the setbacks, the year statistically remains Toyota’s most successful, with 88 points, five podium finishes, and two pole positions. Toyota ended the season fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, its best result ever. With five podiums and two poles, 2005 would remain Toyota’s most successful season in Formula 1 history. During 2005, Toyota also developed the 2400 cc RVX-06 V8 engine, destined for the TF106 the following season. To test this new engine, the TF105 chassis was modified to house the V8, with the car renamed TF105.5. It was driven only by the team’s test driver, Frenchman Olivier Panis.