- Toyota TF103
Racing car
Car_name = Toyota TF103
Category =Formula One
Constructor =Toyota F1
Designer = flagicon|AustriaGustav Brunner
Team =Panasonic Toyota Racing
Drivers = flagicon|FranceOlivier Panis
flagicon|BrazilCristiano da Matta
Chassis = carbon-fibre and honeycomb compositemonocoque
Front suspension = Push rod with Torsion bar
Rear suspension = Push rod with Torsion bar
Engine name = Toyota RVX-03
Capacity =
Configuration =
Turbo/NA =
Engine position =
Gearbox name =
Gears = Six Gear,
Type = Semi-Automatic
Differential =
Fuel =Esso
Tyres =Michelin
Debut =2003 Australian Grand Prix
Races = "16"
Wins = "0"
Cons_champ = "0"
Drivers_champ = "0"
Poles = "0"
Fastest_laps = "0"
The Toyota TF103 was the Gustav Brunner designed machine with which theToyota F1 team competed in the2003 Formula One season . Unveiled on January 8th 2003 at thePaul Ricard circuit, its drivers were the FrenchmanOlivier Panis and BrazilianCristiano da Matta , the reigning CART FedEx Championship Series Champion from 2002.Development
The TF103 was quite a conservative design, by the team's admission it was more of a 'logical evolution' from its predecessor the TF102. Lighter and with more downforce, the car was a joint effort between Gustav Brunner's design team and Keizo Takahashi, chief of Technical co-ordination.
The biggest improvement over the TF102 came with the engine, the RVX-03 had been tested for the first time in September 2002 and offered the team benefits twofold over the RVX-02; it was lighter, and provided more power. The engine was the brainchild of Italian designer
Luca Marmorini .Performance
The TF103 stepped up a level in terms of performance too, with the car scoring a total of sixteen points between its drivers, da Matta outscoring Panis 10-6. Perhaps the most notable race involving the TF103 was at
Silverstone for the British Grand Prix when both cars ran 1-2 for a time admist the confusion brought about by a track invader on the 11th lap.In the constructors standings, Toyota finished in eighth, still some way off the performance their massive budget should have allowed, but equally too, it was a notable improvement on their 2002 finish.
Complete Formula One results
() (results in bold indicate pole position)
External links
* [http://www.toyota-f1.com/public/en/motorsports/evolution/tf103.html TF103 Evolution at Toyota F1 official site]
* [http://www.f1db.com/tiki-index.php?page=Toyota+TF103+(nl) TF103 Facts at f1db.com]
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