Formula One car development blog

Toyota look to be back where they were early on in the season, close to the front runners. After a mid-season struggle, the team introduced several updates that shaved a few tenths off the car's pace. Currently, Toyota's TF109 is running with a double deck diffuser much alike that of Brawn or McLaren with a downward bend in the centre. Previously the double deck diffuser had a design similar to Williams' initial design, but the Japanese team quickly understood the advantages of the ... Read more

Toyota is doing everything it can to find some extra rear downforce on its TF109. At the Hungaroring, a notoriously slow and high downforce circuit, the team added a BMW-style third rear wing element in the central 15cm of the wing. It is only in this area that move than 2 horizontal panels are allowed in the rear wing.

And as that didn't prove enough, another 2-panel wing was added above the rear light to push air up. Although less than in previous years, this item will also help t... Read more

The Toyota TF109 has also seen some updates at the Turkish Grand Prix weekend, including aerodynamic tweaks in the front. New for instance is the modified front wing endplate of which the outer small panel now features an upward flip to help manage airflow ahead of the front wheels.

This area is particularly interesting as the wheels generate a lot of drag while a steadier airflow can also help to keep the brakes cool. Therefore the team also changed the cooling inlets while the whe... Read more

Toyota have introduced a new front wing at the Spanish Grand Prix weekend. The new wing - lower part of image - adds an additional flap and makes the main front wing panels similar to McLaren's design. Apart from this, the cascade element's tip was also changed and simplified as the downward curve has been removed.

Unsurprisingly however, the wing was only tested on Friday by both drivers. The following qualifying and race saw both cars equipped with the older version as pictured in... Read more

Although the lacklustre showing in qualifying suggests otherwise, Toyota keep on working on their TF109. One little detail we spotted is the addition of a small winglet on their sidepod panel. As it concerns a fairly flat aerofoil, it looks like it's aimed at reducing turbulence from behind the front wheels, attempting to improve the flow towards the rear end of the car.

Also marked in the image are the turning vanes that Toyota have been using. Fitted in between the front wheels an... Read more