Rejected Bid by Andretti to Join F1 Championship
In January, F1 emphatically rejected *Andretti's* bid to join the championship. The American motorsport giant had applied to become the eleventh member of the grid as early as 2025, but more likely 2026, when new power unit and chassis regulations come into force.
– Grid as early as 2025
– More likely 2026
– New power unit and chassis regulations come into force
F1's Decision
F1 deemed it to be an *unrealistic* target and slammed the door shut. However, the series did concede that it may look upon an application for the 2028 season differently.
Partnership with Toyota
Whilst *Andretti* continues to push full-steam ahead in pursuit of the F1 entry is desires, part of it's success will be contingent upon the continued relationship with a perhaps unlikely partner, Toyota.
Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe
The *Japanese marque* has not been a constructor in F1 for 15 years, but does still race in leading motorsport series around the world. Operating out of Cologne, Germany, as Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe, the team boasts two wind tunnels – a legacy of its short-lived F1 stint from 2002-2009.
– Location: Cologne, Germany
– Established: 2002
– Wind Tunnels: 2
RacingNews365 visited the Toyota campus
*RacingNews365* visited the Toyota campus and spoke with wind tunnel manager *Antonio Pavesi*, who spoke about the departure of *McLaren*, with the team having used the facility for a number of years prior to commissioning its wind tunnel.
– The visit included a tour of the facility
– Discussion on the latest technology in wind tunnel testing
– Insights on the impact of McLaren's departure
"It was sad to lose such an important customer like McLaren, but life goes on," *Pavesi* said.
Concerns and Solutions
– *"For a while there were some concerns about how we could keep the wind tunnels running, as one of the tunnels was used almost exclusively by McLaren, but fortunately we were able to find other projects."*
'This allowed Andretti to build their aerodynamic process'
Notable Project: Andretti
One notable project has been *Andretti*, with the American team approaching Toyota to enlist its services in its bid to made the F1 grid. At the Cologne campus, *Andretti* has access to two wind tunnels. One that runs models up to 50% size, and another that can accommodate full-scale cars.
– Wind tunnel for models up to 50% size
– Wind tunnel for full-scale cars
"I don't remember exactly when they approached us, but it must have been in the middle of 2023," Pavesi replied, when asked when and how the relationship first came about.
Meeting Details:
– *Pavesi* mentioned that the initial meeting happened during a conference in New York.
– The meeting was brief but productive.
– Further discussions were scheduled for the following week.
Formula 1 Wind Tunnel Project
*"When preparing to enter Formula 1, it was important for them to be able to use a wind tunnel. This allowed *Andretti* to build their aerodynamic process. They contacted us and we ended up building a model for them here in *Cologne*, and then as early as the last months of 2023, that model was tested in the wind tunnel."*
– Preparing to enter Formula 1
– Importance of using a wind tunnel
– Building an aerodynamic process
– Collaboration with Andretti
– Model construction in Cologne
– Testing in the wind tunnel
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Pavesi went on to explain that some wind tunnel customers ask for models to be produced for them, which Toyota does do.
Pavesi *went on to explain* that some wind tunnel customers ask for models to be produced for them, which Toyota does do.
Common Requests at the Wind Tunnel
*"It is more common,"* he said when asked how common a request that was from those using the wind tunnel.
– Request for additional testing
– Requests for different wind conditions
– Requests for specific data collection
Customer Requests
"We have customers who ask if they can come to us with their own models, but there are also customers who ask if we would design and build those models for them, we can take care of both."
– *italicized text*
– bold text
RacingNews365 Update
*RacingNews365* will publish the full interview with Antonio Pavesi in the coming weeks – keep an eye out on YouTube and *RacingNews365's* social media channels.
