AUTOMOTIVE
INTRODUCING THE TDF-1:
A GENUINE FORMULA 1 CAR
REDEFINED FOR PRIVATE OWNERSHIP
been upgraded so that it will automatically close during a steering or
braking input, for added stability.
The TDF-1 is offered with a full suite of spare parts to keep the car
and its driver on track for longer. Spares range from tyres - which
are manufactured to order by the original tyre supplier, Pirelli,
in soft, medium, hard and wet compounds - to original and
remanufactured bodywork and suspension components. With its
reduced engineering complexity, the TDF-1 can be maintained for a
fraction of the cost of a conventional F1 car by TDF’s team of expert
engineers.
The ultimate machine for private racetrack use, the TDF-1 is
comprised of a 2011 Marussia or 2012 Sauber chassis, suspension
and associated mechanicals, which is Powered by TDF. This means
that the TDF-1 uses a bespoke race-proven powertrain comprising a
state-of-the-art turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which develops
600bhp at 9,000rpm, mated to a six-speed semi-automatic gearbox.
Both engine and gearbox are stressed members, in keeping with
Matt Faulks, Director of TDF, said, “As a core part of our business is
maintaining modern-classic F1 cars, we know the complexities of
keeping these cars on the track – from maintenance and repairs
to running costs and the sheer skill needed to drive them well.
With TDF-1, we wanted to create a package that allows driving
enthusiasts the ability to have a genuine F1 experience that is more
accessible and cost-effective.”
the chassis’ original design. Crucially, the complete package is Jessica Hawkins, TDF-1 Development Driver, said: “Driving a TDF-1
designed to maintain the original car’s factory-honed chassis/engine is like no experience I’ve had before; the responsiveness, balance
geometry. and agility is second to none, and the raw speed is incredible. As
The result is a car that delivers 95% of the on-track performance of
an equivalent F1 car, with all of the visceral driving dynamics felt
by the Marussia and Sauber drivers during the 2011/2 seasons. In
qualifying set-up, the TDF-1 will generate 4.0G in a high-speed corner
and 4.5 G under braking. However, TDF’s powertrain is exceptionally
a professional racing driver, I’ve been behind the wheel of some
impressive cars in my career, but nothing comes close to the TDF-1.
We’ve worked hard to develop a range of set-ups that suit all levels
of experience and ability. The end result is a package that helps
drivers build confidence and start to push the limits of TDF-1.”
robust and far more reliable, providing owners with a highly usable TDF-1 has been engineered and developed by one the world’s
package that is affordable to run and maintain. It can be started at most knowledgeable modern F1 experts, TDF. Formed in 2009, TDF
the press of a button on the steering wheel and only needs to be is staffed by ex-F1 engineers from a number of teams, including
serviced annually. Marussia, Mercedes-AMG, Renault F1 and Williams.
Wherever possible, the TDF-1 has been engineered to remove driving It has more than a decade of experience maintaining and running
complexity. Gear ratios and steering wheel functions have been modern-classic Formula 1 cars, from the mid-1990s onwards. Its
simplified so drivers can focus completely on the driving experience in-house design, engineering and manufacturing unit, based in
and less on the systems management that modern Formula 1 cars Bedfordshire, England, produces high-performance components for
demand. Importantly, great care has been taken to retain the TDF-1’s several F1, hypercar and defence applications.
original factory aerodynamic package, as developed by the Marussia
and Sauber teams, while the car’s Drag Reduction System (DRS) has
26
The Art of Luxury
Issue 43 2020
www.tour-de-force.co.uk