Toyota Donates Last Car It Raced In Formula 1 To COVID-19 Charity Auction

Toyota has donated the last car it raced in Formula 1 to the COVID-19 auction initiated by the FIA.

The TF109, the last model made by Toyota before they left Formula 1 in 2009, will be auctioned off with engine and transmission.

It was designed for the 2009 season and wound up being the last car the brand entered for Formula 1. The high costs of racing and years of underwhelming results eventually discouraged the management.

When the 2008 financial crisis hit, the management decided it was time to pull the plug. During the last championship, however, the TF109 did manage five podium finishes in 17 Grand Prix races.

According to the Drive, after Toyota dropped from Formula 1, the car was lent to Pirelli. It served as a tire test car for 2010 and 2011. During this time, it was handled by drivers like Nick Heidfeld and Romain Grosjean.

The TF109 does not sport Toyota's signature white-and-red design anymore. It was painted black by Pirelli. Mechanically speaking, however, it remains a Toyota considering the 2.4-liter turbocharged V8, churning at least 700 horsepower. That was linked to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The 01 chassis is part of a list of memorabilia being donated for the event.

Other teams such as Ferrari have donated racing suits from Charles LeClerc and Sebastian Vettel.

A helmet and race suit used by Damon Hill during the 1995 season is also available. Mercedes has donated boots, suits and gloves signed by lead drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.

Jean Todt, president of the FIA, stated that since the start of the health crisis, the motorsport community remained committed to the fight against the pandemic through different initiatives, including #RaceAgainstCovid.

He also thanked the drivers and teams for the contributions made along with the FIA Foundation for their support.

The FIA has already donated 1 million euros to the International Red Cross and RM Sotheby’s auction.

The auction is set to open on Monday, June 15, and close in a week. It remains to be seen if the TF109 gets to go back to the track under its new owners.