By Toyota
October 22 2005

Looking back, are you satisfied with the year? Yes, I'm very happy with how our 2005 season has panned out. 2004 was a tough season with a distinct lack of results. It was a painful season for us all, but we utilised the lessons learned as a strong motivation for improvement.

The results from 2005 were a direct outcome of our perseverance, determination and will to succeed. It is only just over three years since we started the adventure in 2002 and I think we have made very good progress. Often people see the name Toyota and expect too much without understanding fully the challenge we have undertaken - to create an entire car from scratch in one factory with a new team of people in just a few years. And this year we had poles, podiums, lead laps, fastest laps – this is a massive achievement for the whole of Toyota.

So you feel Toyota is on target?
Yes. We had two targets at the start of this season. The first one was to score points at as many races as possible and once we had satisfied those circumstances, the aim was to get onto the podium. We finished 17 out of the 19 races in the points and we scored five podiums. We have also finished the season very close to the defending champions, so I am more than pleased.

What were the high and low points of the year?
The second race of the year in Malaysia, when Jarno finished second and was on the podium was the highlight. The worst moment was Suzuka! We got pole position and then the Safety Car early in the race destroyed our plans. Even if getting the pole was a fantastic feeling, it raised expectations so much that the safety car deployment and fall to eighth place felt even more painful.

When you look ahead to V8 engines, what do you think? I look at V8 engines, a new tyre supplier, a new chassis influenced by the length of the V8 engines, all the aero work, and all in a limited time. It is very daunting, but we hope to use such a new opportunity. At the moment I think every team is concerned about getting enough power and reliability from the V8 engines, but I am confident that we will achieve that in the winter testing and be in good shape before the first race in Bahrain next year. What is realistic for Toyota next year? To take our first win. That is my aim. Whether it is realistic or not, we will have to wait and see, but having decided to compete in F1 we have to challenge at the very front. I like to use the image of Mount Fuji to explain where we, Panasonic Toyota Racing are now. At the moment, we are standing at the seventh stage of Mount Fuji, which is a good achievement and a pleasing result, but now we look up to the remaining stages, which are even tougher, more demanding, but the results when we get there will be even more rewarding.
Courtesy Toyota Media