Zoom Toyota very much targeting their first GP victory

Toyota heads to the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona this weekend for the start of the European season. Following the flyaway races which started the season, Toyota is third in the Constructors' Championship having claimed an impressive three podium finishes in four Grand Prix.

Jarno Trulli recorded pole position, fastest lap and third place in the Bahrain Grand Prix while Timo Glock maintained his 100 percent points-scoring record in 2009 with seventh place. That put both Toyota drivers into the top five of the Drivers' Championship.

Toyota has 26.5 points to its credit so far and trail Red Bull Renault by just one point heading to Spain. While the team are satisfied with its progress this year, Team President John Howett is not resting on his laurels.

"We have made a successful start to our season but there is no doubt we want more; we feel we are close to our first victory and this is our clear target for the remainder of the year,” Howett stated. “We narrowly missed out on winning in Bahrain but by starting from pole position and setting the fastest lap, we showed we are right on the pace and we are working hard to bring it about soon.

“Thanks to the fantastic job done by the team over the winter, our car has been one of the very fastest so far this season and we have some aerodynamic upgrades in Spain which will bring more performance,” he continued. “We have an aggressive development programme for the whole season so I'm confident we will be in good shape."

Trulli is fourth in the championship with 14.5 points and is looking forward to the start of the ‘European season’.

"The opening races of the season have shown the potential we have in our new car; to get pole position and the fastest race lap in Bahrain was a good achievement which gives us great encouragement,” Trulli said.

The team has enjoyed podium success in Spain before, with Trulli finishing third in 2005. However, this year’s race at the Spanish event will be a little less predictable than in the past thanks to the test restrictions.

"We'll see how it works out in Barcelona but we have to be optimistic after our strong performances so far," the Italian veteran continued. "We tested in Barcelona before the season but I have to admit it's unusual to be preparing for the race having not driven at the track for a couple of months.

"In the past we have generally tested there just before the race so everything was quite predictable, but it could be different this time. I am enjoying this season because we are consistently fighting at the front so I am really looking forward to the Spanish Grand Prix."

Timo Glock, fifth in the championship with 12 points, led early on in Bahrain before slipping down the order to finish seventh. "It was disappointing only to finish seventh after starting from the front row however the potential of the car is clear for everyone to see," Glock explained. "That motivates everyone to keep pushing hard because we can see there is the possibility for some great results.

“We have an upgrade to the car this weekend so hopefully that can bring something extra but we will have to wait and see how the other teams develop as well,” he added.

Earl ALEXANDER
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