The 8th-generation “Suzuka Special” updates until the very last second

The TF109 was designed for aerodynamic efficiency, particularly suited to courses like Suzuka and Spa-Francorchamps. In addition to the new aero parts introduced in Singapore (a week earlier than planned), the “Suzuka Special” included special-purpose wings in the front and rear, as well as a fresh engine—the eighth of the year.

With Timo Glock having scored a podium finish at the Singapore GP last week using updated parts originally intended for this week’s Japanese GP, Panasonic Toyota Racing was very confident coming into Suzuka. We have continued development of the TF109 since the first day of the season. With our car capable of winning a top-two result, now we were fully intent on putting our mark on the center spot of the podium in Suzuka.
As of Thursday, though, we still didn’t have a 100% finalized version of the Suzuka Special in our garage. The final parts to our Suzuka Special were being constructed in our TMG factory leading right up to the start of race weekend. The parts didn’t arrive from Germany until Friday afternoon. We had all of the other new parts on hand and ready, so we conducted Friday morning practice using a provisional specification. Our plan was to be able to install all of latest parts for Friday afternoon practice.
The TF109 is most suited to circuits like Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps and other tracks with many medium- and high-speed turns. Since the Suzuka course is similar to these circuits—and for the fact that we had made further updates to the car—we had high expectations that the Japanese GP would be our strongest race of the season. The weather was one of our biggest concerns. The reports said that the weather would deteriorate on Friday, and recover on Saturday. In other words, there was a high likelihood that we would have to go into qualifying and the race with almost no usable on-track data.
But all of the other teams were, of course, in the same boat. Despite the concerns, we went into Friday ready to put 100% of our collective abilities out on the circuit.

Timo sits out Friday due to illness; Kamui and Jarno check the TF109 Suzuka specification

Kamui Kobayashi stepped into the TF109 at the last minute for Friday practice, taking over for Timo who fell ill. Despite rainy conditions, Kamui did a splendid job, working in tandem with Jarno to collect accurate information, and winning even more trust and respect from the team.

We arrived at the circuit before 8 a.m. Friday morning. After a short time, I was unexpectedly asked to call Kamui Kobayashi in to the circuit. I was worried that Jarno (Trulli) had become ill again, but I was surprised to hear that it was Timo who had fallen ill. We had worked together the previous evening, and he didn’t seem to be sick. But, about 1 a.m. Thursday morning, Timo came down with a fever that reached 39°C (102.2°F) at one point. Rather than forcing Timo to drive in the expected rainy conditions on Friday, we thought it would be better to give him a good day of rest. We filed papers with the FIA to bring in our reserve driver (Kamui Kobayashi) for Friday practice.
Despite the last-minute change, Kamui performed our prepared program flawlessly, and provided much the same feedback that Jarno did. Kamui has driven numerous tests for us, and he enjoys a good rapport with the team. His performance in substituting for Timo seemed to further solidify the trust between him and the team staff.
As expected, the rain fell on Friday, so all we were able to accomplish was to confirm the timing for changing our wet tires and tire air pressure. Given the wet conditions, we didn’t introduce the “star” of our Suzuka Special—our new front wing. Even so, our car demonstrated good balance. Everything indicated that our performance would only improve once we added the new wing under dry conditions.

Jarno’s attack earns a front row spot; Timo is injured in a crash during a strong hot lap

Timo, waiting for the new Suzuka spec TF109 to go out on course. While driving a very quick attack lap during Q2, Timo crashed in the final corner, and was unable to appear in the race on Sunday. Meanwhile, Jarno finished only 0.06 seconds behind the P1 qualifier, securing P2 with a lap time of 1:32.220.

As forecasted, Saturday was dry, so we were finally able to install the long-awaited new front wing for morning practice. Jarno and Timo tested the old and new models, both reporting that the new version demonstrated improved performance. We made the final adjustments to our complete Suzuka Special package during the second half of morning practice. Jarno had set the top time on the time sheets during final practice. All of our preparations were complete and in place.
Both cars passed uneventfully through Q1, and then things took an unfortunate turn with Timo’s crash in Q2. Timo had been timing at a personal best pace during the lap, which made the crash at the very end of the attack all the more disappointing. We were worried that it took so long for Timo to emerge from the cockpit, but Timo waved his hand to indicate that he was all right after being helped out of the car. Thankfully, Timo was fine—the accident could have been much worse. But, having impacted the tire barrier at such a high rate of speed, Timo was required to spend the night in the FIA-designated hospital. We decided to wait until Sunday to determine whether Timo would be in shape to drive.
Despite the accident to his teammate, Jarno was able to maintain an extremely high level of concentration, qualifying P2. The race at Suzuka was expected to be a tough battle, but this is our home grand prix. We readied ourselves for Sunday’s race, vowing to turn in a strong performance in answer to the cheers and hopes of our many Japanese fans.

A combination of strategy, driving and pit work leads to our first-ever home-country podium

Jarno said that his full concentration was on making a new personal best lap every time around the circuit to cut the gap with Hamilton in front. Attacking last year’s champion driver is never an easy task, but Jarno said he enjoyed the challenge. Jarno finished P2, the highest-ever Japanese GP result for Panasonic Toyota Racing.

After spending the night at a Yokkaichi City hospital and being examined by medical staff, Timo told us that he was ready to race. But Timo had injured his (left) braking foot and had some back pain as well. We decided to hold him out of the race, and let him take some rest before the upcoming Brazilian GP.
For our fans—and for Timo, too—the team came together to produce a race result better than any in seven years of racing the Japanese Grand Prix. Off the starting grid, Jarno was overtaken by Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), who had the luxury of the full use of his KERS system power. Jarno held off Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber), maintaining P3. I think this was a good demonstration of just how experienced and skilled Jarno is as a driver. Dropping one position off the start, the team changed to a strategy that would allow us to recover the position, which worked wonderfully as Jarno recovered his spot after the second pit stop.
For the strategy to work, Jarno had to maintain a gap to Hamilton of no more than three seconds prior to the second pit stop—and Jarno responded to the challenge. When Hamilton came into the pits, Jarno pushed all-out for two laps before coming in to pit lane. Of course, I can’t neglect to mention the perfect performance of the pit crew during the stop. Capturing a P2 finish was really the combination of strategy, driving, and flawless work by the pit crew. While all of our podium results have been gratifying, winning a first-ever podium spot in our home grand prix was just that much sweeter to experience. I think this was one of the best races in the history of Panasonic Toyota Racing.
But we still haven’t made it to the center of the podium. There are two more races to the 2009 F1 World Championship. Please cheer us on as we spare no effort to capture a long-awaited first victory.