Toyota boss John Howett is adamant that the team’s first win is just around the corner after they threatened to upset the formbook in last week’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Japanese outfit locked out the front row of the grid for the first time in Sakhir, but pole sitter Jarno Trulli was fuelled much lighter than Brawn GP’s Jenson Button and was unable to stop the Briton winning the race.
Howett is nevertheless confident that Toyota now have the pace to challenge for race wins on a regular basis.
“We feel we are close to our first victory and this is our clear target for the remainder of the year,” he said. “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.”
Like all the teams Toyota will bring upgrades to their car for next week’s Spanish Grand Prix. Jarno Trulli is confident he can challenge at the front again.
“The opening races of the season have shown the potential we have in our new car,” he said. “To get pole position and the fastest race lap in Bahrain was a good achievement which gives us great encouragement.”
“We’ll see how it works out in Barcelona but we have to be optimistic after our strong performances so far. 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.”
