By Nick Sparkes
October 9 2005

Panasonic Toyota Racing scored their second pole position of the season. Big deal. Well, it is when you consider their second pole position was set in none-other than Japan, their home Grand Prix. So big pressure to perform, but big pressure to keep our main rival (Honda) behind us. You could count Ralf Schumacher’s Japanese pole position, our first proper pole of the season. But when you consider the changing weather, even Toyota admit we were pretty lucky. Also our first pole back in American was almost certainly done on a light fuel load, seeing as Sunday’s race was never going to happen, therefore that was a genuine pole position either. But does it really matter whats real and what isn’t? The fact is Toyota has continued its breakthrough season by putting their car in pole position in front of their home fans. Not only that, giving their new TF105B a dream start after the hours of testing and evaluating these last couple of months.

Yet we are under pressure, huge pressure in fact. By impressing the people who sign our cheques, I’m sure they are expecting big things by our Toyota crew come Sunday afternoon. Not only that, but the Toyota – Honda rivalry continues, as Jenson Button plotted his BAR Honda just alongside. I expect the Japanese press to be torn between the two, choosing which of their two leading manufactures has the right to take the top step. That’s correct, I’m talking victory. The pressure from Toyota HQ has already told the boys in red and white to do all they can to win Sunday’s race, Mike Gascoyne quoted as saying: “we have to look to capitalise and win the race tomorrow.” Why? Because McLaren and Renault are behind us on the grid, with three out of those four cars right down the back. Ferrari is also a couple of rows behind, leaving Toyota with a clear shot for race victory. But who can stop us? Jenson Button can, his Honda engine can, and I’m sure Honda will be under similar instructors to beat Toyota come the chequered flag.

But if your looking for a bet, I’d put a fiver on Ralf Schumacher, its not impossible that tomorrow could be a historic day in Toyota’s long history. The first corner will be important, if we are ahead, I expect Ralf to steam away, if we get overtaken, a long race is in prospect but you can never count out Toyota’s will and drive to win the Grand Prix. Lets hope there are no Belgium Grand Prix pit ‘errors’ this time if the weather does decide to change its mind…