Historically, Panasonic Toyota Racing is among the first teams to introduce their new race models. This year, the team chose to unveil their new TF105 for the 2005 F1 season on January 8, in the early days of the new year, and much earlier than any other team. While most of the new models are announced in Cologne, the location of the team’s base of operations, this year the event was held in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona was chosen due to its relative proximity to Jerez, where the team will participate in group tests. Spain features a gentle climate, even in winter, which makes it the perfect location for off-season tests performed mainly in Barcelona and Jerez. The weather cooperated on the day of the event, with warm temperatures and sun.

“Francia Station,” an old train station in the heart of Barcelona, was selected for the location of the event. The contrast between an ultra-modern F1 machine and the old station house, built in the 1920s, presented jaded reporters and other F1 followers with a fresh perspective on F1 machines and the teams that make them fly.

The presentation was given in the main station lobby, where a special stage had been built. Reporters and other guests gathered from around the world to see the program. Although the team officially invited 150 individuals, many more showed up at the station, the lobby overflowing with attendees. Many journalists and reporters from Japan also attended.

At 12:00 p.m. TMG principal Tsutomu Tomita and president John Howett were called to the stage by the event emcee. First, chairman Tomita addressed the attendees. “Leading up to the 2005 season, we have made big changes at our home facilities in Cologne. Specifically, our wind tunnel and the machining areas have been upgraded. We have also worked to create better correlation between the factory and the circuit. This means that we will be able to achieve maximum performance on F1 GP weekends. The decision to develop the entire F1 car ourselves under one roof makes it possible for us to make improvements in an extremely short amount of time.” Mr. Tomita’s comments emphasized the concrete, steady improvements that have been accomplished at Panasonic Toyota Racing.

In his remarks, president Howett mentioned some of the wide-ranging revisions to F1 regulations in the upcoming season. He favorable stated, “The new one-engine-for-two-races rule will definitely reduce costs.” Of the new drivers on the team, Mr. Howett said, “The addition of Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher is tremendously exciting, and I am sure they will pressure us to achieve great things. ” Mr. Howett further announced that the TMG factory in Cologne, Germany will be opened to the public, with the admission fees donated for Sumatra earthquake and tsunami relief.

Following the top two TMG officials, the two technical directors that created the TF105, Mike Gascoyne on the chassis side and Luca Marmorini on the engine side, took the stage.

Gascoyne enthused, “We started testing the TF105 in the wind tunnel last July. When we learned that the regulation changes for the 2005 season would change, we relied on early reports, and continued our work based on our best guesses.” Marmorini, a quiet, but clearly-spoken man, said, “During the 2004 season, we incorporated several new parts to insure greater engine reliability. We had a lot of fun creating an engine conforming to the new regulations, and we were challenged by new and interesting technologies.”

Next, the event emcee introduced Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher to great applause and cheers by the crowd. The two drivers appeared from the wings of the stage in their full racing suits. The Panasonic Toyota Racing suits have been redesigned for the new season, featuring gray coloring around the shoulders and along the sleeves.

Trulli said, “I joined Panasonic Toyota Racing because I believe this is a team with great potential. We know from the results of last season that we can make solid, step-by-step improvements. Toyota has the desire to come out on top—it is just a matter of time.”

Ralf Schumacher, who appeared for the first time in a Panasonic Toyota Racing suit, agreed with Trulli, ambitiously stating, “My goal for the 2005 season is to lead the team to a top five placing in the Constructor’s Championship. And we must continue to build on our successes for 2006 and 2007. Then you will see some real successes.”

Last, Olivier Panis and Ricardo Zonta, test drivers for the Panasonic Toyota Racing, came up on stage. Panis said, “I am very excited and proud to continue the challenge with Toyota.” Zonta said, “Driving the third car on Fridays is an extremely important task, and is critical to success on the weekend. I will make the most of my race and test experience to help the team move up the grid during the 2005 season.”

After the hour-long presentation, the journalists were escorted to the station platform to see the new machine. The platform numbers had been changed to 16 and 17, to match the car numbers. And just beyond, covered in red cloth, waited the Toyota TF105 positioned on a low stage. The low, compact body was easy to recognize, even hidden under covers.

Standing on either side of the TF105, Trulli and Ralf pulled up the red cloth to reveal what lay beneath. As the cloth rose gradually, the guests got their first look at the Toyota TF105. The first impression was that this new machine was much different than the TF104. The wing position had changed, of course, to conform to the new regulations, but more than that, everyone could see that the TF105 featured a much more refined design, including side pontoons tapered smartly toward the rear of the car and a more compact engine cowl. The car testified to the completeness of its own design. Even after the fifteen-minute photo session, the journalists and guests were reluctant to leave the F1 car.

Though the unveiling featured a simpler format than in the past, the impression left with guests was by no means weak. Rather, the lack of ostentation served to convey the seriousness of the Toyota camp. And more than anything, guests and journalists were able to witness an evolution in F1 car design.

After taking a commemorative photo next to the Toyota TF105, technical coordinator Keizo Takahashi confidently stated, “What you see here is a shakedown specification. We have all of the updated parts ready for the first race. The TF105 we run in the Australian GP will be even more refined than the machine you see today.”