Motorsport

07th February 2007

	For a brief moment in 2005, the German-based outfit appeared to be on the verge of serious success

Since joining the grid at the start of 2002, Toyota has pumped more cash into its grand prix operation than any rival – yet to date, it’s racked up only six podium finishes from 87 starts. That’s a scant return for an annual spend said to be well in excess of £300million.

For a brief moment in 2005, the German-based outfit appeared to be on the verge of serious success. But those hopes were dashed last year, when Toyota finished last of the six manufacturer teams. It’s a record former technical director Mike Gascoyne blames on those at the top, who try to run Toyota like a big business.

“If they continue like that, they haven’t got a hope in hell,” claimed the jilted Gas­coyne, now engineering chief at Spyker. “For performance against budget, Toyota is probably the least effective operation in F1.”
Despite such damning comments from a well respected ex-employee, Toyota believes it will finally begin to live up to expectations – and spend­ing power – during the forthcoming campaign. Team boss Tsutomu Tom­ita is certainly setting some ambitious targets for 2007. “Our fundamental challenge this year is to get the first victory,” he insisted.

“We announced that a year ago, but failed to deliver. And therefore we want to lay down the challenge again in 2007. I know all the other teams are working very hard, particularly the top three. We have five years’ experience in F1, but still we are young in comparison with the top outfits, so we have to be modest. Yet we would like to challenge them. I am very, very positive about this, and I think we should attack right from the first round.”

It’s not all talk, though. Toyota’s hopes of hitting the ground running have some credibility, as it’s the only one of the 11 F1 teams to start the new season with the same engine, the same tyre partner and the same two race drivers – the consistently inconsistent pair of Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli. Both are proven GP winners – although neither has yet shown the ability to put together a serious championship bid.

Schumacher is certainly pinning all of his hopes on the continuity factor. “Remaining constant in all aspects should work in our favour, as it gives us stability,” he insisted.

“What’s more, the team has one more year of experience under its belt now, so we should be stronger. Everything seems to be heading in the right direction.” And on recent results, the only way is up!