NEWS
Drivers & Staff Q+A: Luca Marmorini – Technical Director Engine Interviewed by TMG Public Relations04.02.2006
| toyota-f1.com Interview | |
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Can we expect the reliability of 2005 in the V8 engine this year?
It made sense to star the programme very early and start running the engine in a car at very early stage. When we first designed the first engine we had no idea on where the regulation was going, but it was finally decided in June, then we re-did the engine and started testing in the car in the summer. We have had some experience with V8 in other categories but it is a different ball game in F1. There are so many things we have to learn about this engine. At the moment luckily we can do fair distance and we spend more time developing the car and the tyres. I am quite confident that we have done the good work with the engine.
What race will be more challenging?
As far as the engine rule is concerned, it will be a challenge to survive Bahrain and Malaysia. IF you have the speed and the reliability in both of these races then I think you can score points, Also because of the characteristics of the V8, drivers have to drive differently, and throttle movement is now ON and OFF, nothing in the middle, which means they spend more time being full throttle., about 10% or so more on each track. I am dreading to think how it is going to be in Monza, I do not wan to think about it!! However last year I thought lots of people have would have problems but they didn't, and this year also they may be a bit conservative in the approach , so may be quite a few may survive those 2 races.
The size of engine got smaller thus allowing chassis designers more freedom, how difficult a task has it been to design this engine?
There is more space for designer s to play with, as the engine is smaller so there is more space and so it creates less heat so the size of the radiators does not need to be as big as before. There is more scope for aero ideas too. As for the engine, it was a very hard work to decide on the exhaust to get the best out of V8, and also how to keep the minimum weight. we could have made V8 quite easily in 80Kg region, so with the restriction we were given, to make the engine heavier was quite a headache.
Lastly, can we have a message for the fans visiting the official Panasonic Toyota Racing website?
Everyone is very keen to find out how this V8 engine rule is going to be, how far can we go? How far can other go? I really do not have any idea until the season opens. I am confident with the work I have done but it is all relative, it depends on what other come up with. I am sure you will support us.
