Toyota tipped for first win

Ralf Schumacher believes Toyota are capable of scoring their first Formula One victory this year.

The well-funded team claimed their first podium and pole positions in 2005, their fourth season of grand prix racing.

Now Schumacher wants that improvement to continue and claims race wins are within Toyota’s sights for 2006.

He said: “As last year, we are hopeful that we can make a strong start to the season, because just like the chassis side, the engine department under Luca Marmorini has done a great job.

“The target for 2006 is to win some races and I think it should be realistic after the podiums we had last year. People on the outside expect that we could score one or two victories and I do think that should be possible.”

Toyota were the first team to test their 2006 car and Schumacher has been impressed by his new machine.

After testing resumed at Jerez, he added: “There are no really big changes to the car since the last test in December and we are still concentrating on adapting the car to the Bridgestone tyres and putting mileage on gearboxes and engines.

“In general the car feels very good, with the new rear end being a step forward. It is still quite difficult to draw firm conclusions in cold conditions.”