Toyota can Trulli compete in 2005 - Schumacher

Ralf Schumacher expects Toyota to take the fight to Formula One’s big guns next season.

The German is part of a new-look line-up for Toyota, one of the sport’s biggest spenders who have yet to claim much return on their investment.

He teams up with Jarno Trulli this year and will drive Toyota’s first full Mike Gascoyne-designed car, unveiled today in Barcelona.

Schumacher has no doubts about the difficulties facing him as he bids to transform the Germany-based team from occasional points scorers to world-title contenders, but he is convinced major progress will be made next season.

The former Williams driver said: “After a long period in a different team going to a totally new place is a new challenge, especially with all the opportunities here.

“It’s a great challenge for me. You have to say if you look at it closely there is potential but it will take time – that is obvious.

“It’s our wish to get on the podium this season and there is a possibility if everything works to plan.

“We are pretty optimistic about the new package. If everything runs to plan, from mid-season there should be an opportunity to get on the podium.”

Team-mate Trulli also insists Toyota will become a threat given time.

The Italian joins from Renault and believes he can play his part in establishing Toyota as genuine rivals to the likes of Ferrari and Williams.

Toyota only started out in Formula One in 2002 but despite their short time in the sport, ambition is high and last season’s tally of nine points was way below expectations.

Trulli is confident the team are on the verge of a major breakthrough and urged patience as Gascoyne puts the final pieces of the jigsaw in place.

“They have very high potential,” he said. “It’s a question of time and a bit of experience but I’m sure they will get to the top soon.

“Toyota can be a top team soon but no-one knows how long it will take.”

Trulli, who worked with Gascoyne at Renault, has modest ambitions for the early part of the season though.

He added: “It would be nice to start the season in reasonable condition, which means scoring points and then we can build the car up.”

Toyota motorsport president John Howett claims he has put all the right ingredients in place to ensure his “dream team” team topple the old guard.

With an all-new, and expensively assembled, driver line-up complimenting the acquisition of technical whizz Gascoyne, Howett feels Toyota are a force to be reckoned with.

“We have got a long way to go but I’m very confident the changes are right and we have a platform on which to build from,” he said.

“We have a good, solid foundation in place to be a great Formula One team in the future.”

On his two new drivers, he added: “We are really delighted to have them – I think we have a dream team. Both are talented, let’s hope they are racing at the front in Toyota cars.”

Howett also announced a fund-raising initiative to help victims of the tsunami in the Indian Ocean.

Toyota will open their Cologne factory up to visitors on January 23, charging 30 euros for entry, with the money going to charity.

“We’ll give them the best possible day we can,” Howett said.