High hopes for the 2008 challenger
After the disappointment of the 2007 season, Toyota this morning unveiled its 2008 challenger, the TF108, in Germany.

Running the traditional red and white livery, the new design features large sidepod scoops a distinctive front wing and the now standard wheel inserts.

"The concept of this car has changed," Pascal ... [ more ]

October 2006 to the 2008 car launch
Toyota's new challenger has been a long time in the making. Today, following the launch of the TF108, the German-based squad explained the key steps in the design and build of the new package.


Oct 2006 - Project group established to start investigating TF108 concept, mainly from simulation point of view.
Dec ... [ more ]

Rally dates: 23 April to 4 May, 2008
As one of the major event of FIA World Cup for Cross-country Rallies, and a major event of the FIM World Championship for Cross-Country Rallies, the Optic 2000 Tunisia Rally, 2008 will certainly be a memorable occasion.

In order to satisfy the demands of the increasingly large numbers of competitors, the 2008 event ... [ more ]

With strong line-up
Valentino Rossi's move to Bridgestone for 2008 was a major coup for the Japanese manufacturers and they prepare for the new season with their strongest MotoGP rider line-up to date, following their new agreement to supply Fiat Yamaha's five-time former premier class World Champion.

However, the competition will be as fierce as ever ... [ more ]

As testing ends at Phillip Island
Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki) scored the fastest time of all three days of testing today, despite temperatures that climbed to 38°C, as Phillip Island felt the full weight of an Aussie summer.

His 1'32.1 just beat the previous best, set by Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) but that was the least of the 2001 and 2006 champion's ... [ more ]

New tyres for everyone, new car for Subaru
The Subaru World Rally Team's Operations Director, Paul Howarth, answers a few questions regarding the 2008 season. Although the major challenge for all the teams this year will be adapting to the new Pirelli control tyres and racing without anti-deflation mousse, the Japanese team will also be bringing in a new car ... [ more ]

A chance to perform on home IRC events
Tyre manufacturer BFGoodrich and the Belgium-based Kronos team have joined forces in order to give promising young drivers the chance to compete on their home rounds of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge this year.

On all the 2008 season IRC rallies it contests, Kronos will run a full specification Peugeot 207 ... [ more ]

Announce team name change ahead of new season
Ford of Europe today revealed the new look for its 2008 WRC campaign as the team was unveiled at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham.

The Focus RS World Rally Car, which powered Ford to the manufacturers' world title in both 2006 and 2007, sports a striking modern livery that took centre stage today ... [ more ]

Ferrari F2008 drive only if needed
Seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher gave his stamp of approval to the new Ferrari F2008 on Friday.

Speaking from Ferrari's joint press event with Ducati, the now-retired record-breaking driver gave his assessment of 2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen's new car.

"Every year it's the same story, the car ... [ more ]

A transition year ahead for the BMW star
Andre Theuerzeit, Managing Director of the sports communications agency b.a.n.g., is to be Nick Heidfeld's the new manager. Heidfeld and his new management team have taken on Cologne-based lawyer Dr. Stefan Seitz as their legal adviser.

The management contract between Nick Heidfeld and his previous manager, Werner ... [ more ]

T-Systems to set up circuit-to-base data link
BMW Sauber will line up for the 2008 season with a new technology partner on board.

T-Systems, the business customer subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, will work together with the team to develop innovative Information and Communication Technology solutions. The company logo will be visible on both the outside ... [ more ]

Pressure on to perform
Toyota President John Howett is well aware that his team under-performed in 2007 and at the launch of the TF108 on Thursday, talks ed up the chances of his team making a bif step forward in the coming season…

What are your goals for 2008?
“Firstly we have to perform significantly better than in 2007. As a team our ultimate objective ... [ more ]

Adapting to the 2008 regulations
Toyota Senior General Manager Engine Luca Marmorini talks of the changes made ahead of the new season with regard to the FAI mandated Standard ECU…

Is the RVX-08 effectively the same as the RVX-07?
“I would say internally the engine is the same, due to the engine freeze regulations we are working with. There have been ... [ more ]

Aiming high with the TF108
Toyota Senior General Manager Chassis Pascal Vasselon was naturally upbeat Thursday with the launch of the new TF108 challenger. The former Michelin Competition Director believes that the longer wheel-base of the new car, combined with aero refinements and weight reductions will help the team return to form in 2008…

When did ... [ more ]

Toyota protégé ready to test…
With Kazuke Nakajima moving on to the race seat at Williams Toyota this year, Kamui Kobayashi is determined to show well in his new role with the Toyota F1 team…

What are your feelings on becoming a Formula One driver?
“It is very exciting to become a third driver in Formula One but I know there is a lot of work to do. ... [ more ]

“Finishing on the podium is always possible”
Italian veteran Jarno Trulli is about to start his fourth season with Toyota. 2007 was a major disappointment for all concerned, but Trulli is looking forward to a return to form…

What is your reaction to the 2007 season?
“Let’s put it this way, we could have done better. We all could have done better and ... [ more ]

GP2 champ delighted to return to F1
It has been a winding route for Timo Glock ahead of his first full season of Formula One. The new Toyota recruit raced with Jordan in F1 on a part-time basis in 2004 before heading off to Champ Car the following year. Two seasons of GP2 followed and now he looks forward to his time at Toyota F1.

What were your feelings ... [ more ]

McLaren duo put laps on the new MP4-23
Lewis Hamilton drove the team’s MP4-23 for the first time today at the Jerez circuit. Hamilton left the garage at 09:10 and completed over 456kms and 103 laps during the course of the day.

Hamilton joined his new team-mate, Heikki Kovalainen at the Spanish circuit for the first of four days of testing over the coming ... [ more ]