By Luke Marc Carlile-Stanton
January 28 2007

March 18th......doesnt seem that far away now does it? Since Toyota launched the TF107 2 weeks ago, Toyota havent done a public test, which leaves F1 fans and Toyota fans guessing about how well the new TF107 goes.

Optimism on the TTF1 messageboard is high. Many Jarno, Ralf and Toyota fans alike are expecting big things from Toyota this season but yet again, we all have for a few seasons now. Let me take you back to 2002, the official launch of Toyota's first Formula 1 car, the TF102. Toyota said ''We dont expect points this year. But we want to be running with the front guys by 2006. Thats realistic'' in 2002 Toyota scored 2 points thanks to Mika Salo coming home in 6th twice at Australia and Brazil. The talk of being up with the front guys by 2006 well......Toyota have sort of done it in a roundabout way, it happened more in 2005 but the end of 2006 was promising when both Jarno and Ralf hauled the TF106B up the front in the final 2 races making things look promising but it should have happened more, reliability was top of the 'improve list' at the end of 2006. There is no denying that Toyota have the potential to be front runners, they have the budget (God knows they do), solid drivers, a good technical team but it just hasnt come together yet, and it needs to soon. Toyota often get berated by talk of their huge budget and spening habits, its reported that £1.2 billion has been spent on Toyota's F1 operation since 2002.....so why oh why can a team who put that much dosh into the kitty not build a car that wins the World Championship?! It utterly dumbfounds me and millions around the globe. I have to admit when the TF107 was launched i took a first look at it and i felt a little deflated by it, i wasn't overly impressed but on reflection its not a bad looking car totally, it's not the best looking one so far but its not awful BUT and here is the but, is the TF107 going to bring better results than its predecessors? The talk is good; Jarno and Ralf in particular have said very positive things, Rlaf even quoted as saying its one of very few cars he ''liked immediatly'' which all sounds lovely doesnt it? Well we wouldnt mind seeing it! Toyota have apparantly been doing private tests in Varino, nothing official, infact Toyota has been mouse quiet since the TF107 was launched and well it does leave you guessing how the TF107 is actually going. March 18th doesnt seem too far away and yes Toyota will be doing more public testing for sure, everyone does but as February approaches time is running out......and if the results don't come the end could also be approaching for Toyota's F1 effort. All that money and no results it leaves me a little frustrated. As a Toyota fan and also a F1 fan i can stand up for Toyota but i can also be critical and well my message to Toyota is; you have the drivers, the team, the money.....so where are the results? Get your finger out Toyota and make the slogan ''The Car Infront is a Toyota'' come true....otherwise, you could have missed the boat of Formula 1 time and luck.

Luke Marc Carlile-Stanton