Trulli's light fuel load

LampCord · 20 Jun 2005, 15:43 (Ref:1334688)

Don't know if anyone caught this comment. One of the options the teams were kicking around was to set up a chicane and then run 3 practice laps so everyone could get used to it.

But Toyota then admitted that Trulli didn't have enough fuel in his car to run 3 laps! Talk about doing anything to take pole! That would have made for a hilarious start to the race had they run, Trulli coming in on lap 2...

Mr V · 20 Jun 2005, 15:51 (Ref:1334705)

If he had less than 3 laps fuel he would have taken pole by a much quicker time.

BootsOntheSide · 20 Jun 2005, 17:07 (Ref:1334811)

I think we can assume they were joking - either that or they were dismally off the pace (the resutls from the other car were inconclusive). and had already given up the weekend as a dead loss.

Silk Cut Jaguar · 20 Jun 2005, 17:11 (Ref:1334817)

I think there might be some leg pulling going on, we know Toyota are about the third or forth fastest car on the grid in Trulli's hands so if he only had three laps of fuel he'd have outqualified Kimi by at least a second or more.

ralf fan · 20 Jun 2005, 17:14 (Ref:1334824)

Er... i dont think so....
they were probably light but not by so much for sure!

Menelaos · 20 Jun 2005, 17:45 (Ref:1334868)

Still, I can't believe Trulli would have reached lap 10 without a refuel. Anyway, the msot annoying part of this whole fiasco is that we'll never know all these things!!!

mac · 20 Jun 2005, 23:59 (Ref:1335313)

One theory doing the rounds was that Michelin (and their teams) were aware of the impending chaos and Toyota deliberately fueled Trulli's car ridiculously light in an attempt to grab the glory while they could.

Dixie Flatline · 21 Jun 2005, 00:20 (Ref:1335324)

It was mentioned in the ITV telecast, IIRC, but don't think it has too much credibility, as Kimi was only 0.069 seconds slower than Jarno.

If a compromise had been found and the Michelin-shod teams raced, I don't think Toyota would have wanted to have pitted at the end of the first lap. I think that the Toyota of Trulli had had a fair amount of fuel in it when Trulli qualified it.

senna12 · 21 Jun 2005, 01:17 (Ref:1335356)

It was also mentioned by Derek Daly during his pre-race gridwalk, that Toyota had fueled Jarno light to gain an important pole position in the American market. He did not mention how much fuel, or when he thought they would have to pit, which is not surprising, I wouldn't expect him to know the actual numbers.

Silk Cut Jaguar · 21 Jun 2005, 02:26 (Ref:1335390)

Toyota are trying to position themselves to win races these days not chase the headlines on Saturday afternoon.

It's not totally out of the question that he might have been there with a decent fuel load.

N I Tram · 21 Jun 2005, 12:59 (Ref:1335817)

The idea that they knew they would probably not be racing, and went for pole as a result, is posisble, but 10 laps seems like a much better fuel estimate than 3 laps. Iwonder waht the plan was - probably to destroy the engine and get a enw one for France, plus a claim of "first failure ever happens while we lead" bad luck.

baclightning · 21 Jun 2005, 19:13 (Ref:1336328)

This is Toyota we're talking about - never underestimate the fact that Honda had the pole the week before. I think Toyota would have done whatever was needed to keep up with Honda...

Tf105 · 22 Jun 2005, 03:02 (Ref:1336705)

I think it would be stupid just trying to outdo Honda dont you think... this is F1.. they not competing for the family sedan market

alfasud · 22 Jun 2005, 05:44 (Ref:1336775)

Quote:

Originally Posted by N I Tram

The idea that they knew they would probably not be racing, and went for pole as a result, is posisble, but 10 laps seems like a much better fuel estimate than 3 laps. Iwonder waht the plan was - probably to destroy the engine and get a enw one for France, plus a claim of "first failure ever happens while we lead" bad luck.

There are a number of scenarios...
1. They knew they would not be racing on Sunday, so went for the glory of pole position.
2. They thought they might be pitting for tyres (or at least to inspect them) after only a few race laps so weren't expecting to stay out.
3. They thought that the Michelin teams might somehow start the race but then agree to retire and wanted to cover the posibilty that these race laps might count to some sort of classification that would score points or at least count toward starting position for the French GP qualifying.
4. They thought there might be a course change (chicane) and that teams would be allowed to practice the new course and make changes... including adding fuel.

I'm sure people can come up with plenty of other explanations.

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