Toyota might pull out of Canadian GP
Shortly before the third pre-qualifying practice session on Saturday, activity in the Japanese squad's pit garages at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve appears normal and team personnel report that they are preparing the two TF107 cars to run.
Jarno Trulli suffered two identical right-front upright suspension failures after normally hitting the turn-eight curbs on Friday afternoon, sparking speculation that Toyota would have to pull the cars in the name of safety.
Reports indicate, however, that engineers have modified the setup of both cars overnight to prevent a recurrence of the problems, with sources explaining that Trulli generally runs a 'stiffer' suspension setup than does Schumacher, who has not encounter similar problems so far in Montreal.
The drivers have also been told to avoid the offending curb at turn eight.
06/09/07 (GMM) It is looking increasingly likely that Toyota may have to pull both of its cars out of the Canadian grand prix event.
Team sources played down the seriousness of the problem immediately after afternoon practice on Friday, where Jarno Trulli's right front upright wheel suspension twice broke over the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve curbs.
Toyota confined both the Italian and his teammate Ralf Schumacher to the garage, and engineers immediately began to scratch their heads because the offending pieces are not new.
Technical director Pascal Vasselon told Auto Motor und Sport that Trulli attacks the turn 8 curves – the scene of both failures – harder than Schumacher.
"But that is not an excuse for why they break," the Frenchman said.
Engineers from rival teams suggested that there is a risk that spectators have already seen the last of Toyota's 2007 Canadian campaign, because suspension parts cannot be thoroughly repaired on site.
"If it is really a major failure of the suspension then I think it is very, very difficult," said BMW-Sauber's Willy Rampf.
"You might be able to reinforce it but I think this is all you can do on the track."