 Europe's Cologne base since 2010. But that arrangement will finally conclude when the team's newly constructed tunnel at its Woking base goes online this month. So, after a dozen years, McLaren will no longer need its arrangement with Toyota. But the Japanese carmaker is still hoping to keep working with the F1 team going forward. "Our door remains open to McLaren," said TGR's managing director Rob Leupen. "We wish them nothing but success with the new wind tunnel. "Whilst that naturally changes what services McLaren requires from TGR-E and how often their engineers are likely to be in Cologne, we have an open dialogue and are playing a constructive part in the process of integrating their new wind tunnel into their development programme. "I think on this activity we have clearly shown how TGR-E can add long-term value to top-level engineering projects, and we look forward to supporting innovative companies like McLaren in the future." McLaren's new facility will play a role in the design of their 2024 challenger and those which follow. But their current MCL60 car and all its predecessors dating back to the MP4-26 used in 2011 were all developed in Toyota's Cologne wind tunnel. And team principal Andrea Stella was keen to recognise the impact that deal has had. "He said "We have established a good working relationship between the McLaren team and the staff onsite at the facility, with their inhouse additive manufacturing capabilities and other onsite facilities being vital to the development process of our cars. "As we move forward towards towards the commissioning of our on-site wind tunnel, which){kind=link}
McLaren is on the verge of a new era of its Formula 1 operation, having constructed its own wind tunnel at its Woking headquarters which means it no longer needs to use the one owned by Toyota
Toyota hopes to continue working with McLaren on its Formula 1 project despite the end of their wind tunnel agreement.
McLaren have used the wind tunnel at Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Europe’s Cologne base since 2010. But that arrangement will finally conclude when the team’s newly constructed tunnel at its Woking base goes online this month.
So, after a dozen years, McLaren will no longer need its arrangement with Toyota. But the Japanese carmaker is still hoping to keep working with the F1 team going forward.
“Our door remains open to McLaren,” said TGR’s managing director Rob Leupen. “We wish them nothing but success with the new wind tunnel.