Toyota on the right track

Toyota team principal Tadashi Yamashina is confident his team are heading in the right direction after a year under his leadership, even if the ’big three’ continue to dominate.

The Japanese manufacturer has already scored more points this year than they did through the entirety of last season.

Veteran Jarno Trulli has claimed 12 points, whilst Timo Glock was finally off the mark with his fourth place in Canada nine days ago.

However, it is over two years since a Toyota driver finished on the podium, with Ralf Schumacher third at the Australian Grand Prix in April 2006.

Now in their seventh year in Formula One, Toyota has never won a Formula One grand prix, despite the millions of pounds invested in their race programme.

That remains the goal for Yamashina, who celebrates a year in charge this weekend, but he knows that may yet be some way off.

“We always dream of the centre of the podium, and we will never give up,” said Yamashina.

“But when you look at car performance you can see there is a gap to Ferrari, McLaren and BMW Sauber.

“Therefore my current target for this year is to continue to close this gap, to finish races in the top six and fight for the podium.”

Yamashina firmly insists he is “confident for the future of the team.”

He added: “Every team member must ask themselves constantly how they can increase performance in their role, no matter what their position is.

“It is my job to achieve this, and after a year in my position I am confident we are heading in the right direction.

“I can see that when we set the right direction, everybody in the team is working together with great determination.”

Toyota, meanwhile, are to mark the passing of former team boss Ove Andersson at this weekend’s French Grand Prix.

The Swede, who was also the driving force behind Toyota’s World Rally Championship successes, was killed competing in a historic rally in South Africa last week. He was 70.

At Magny-Cours, the cars driven by Trulli and Glock will feature a black band around the monocoque, while the design of the team garage will also include black.

A book of condolences, to be given to Andersson’s family, will be available in the team’s motorhome for all Formula One personnel and media to sign.

Trulli said: “We want to achieve a strong result this weekend as a tribute to Ove because without him I’m not sure Toyota would be competing in Formula One now.”