The Japanese manufacturing giant finished a miserable sixth in the constructors’ championship – aided by McLaren’s demotion – as they won just 13 points overall.

At the unveiling of Toyota’s new challenger – the TF108 – at their Cologne factory, Yamashina was demanding podium finishes this year, the team’s last coming in April 2006 at the Australian Grand Prix.

“Our ultimate target is the middle step of the podium because we are in Formula One to win, and we want to do that soon,” he said.

“Our clear target in 2008 is to make a big improvement in results because we were not satisfied with our performance last year.

“The drivers should be aiming to finish in the points regularly and challenging for a podium, while as a team we should do our best to give the drivers a car which is capable of achieving our goals.

“The engineers and designers have pushed hard to develop the best possible car for the drivers and the work will not stop.

“Everyone in the team is focused on making a step forward and we will continue to put all our effort into improving the car throughout the year. We are hungry to succeed, and I believe you will see this more than ever this season.”

Toyota’s driver line-up includes veteran Jarno Trulli and rookie Timo Glock, who was last year’s GP2 champion.

The 25-year-old German is confident of following in the footsteps of Lewis Hamilton and becoming a success in Formula One.

“Winning the GP2 title was quite important for me,” said Glock, who was test driver for Jordan in 2004, competing in four races before moving onto Champ Cars and then GP2.

“When you look back, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton have done well in Formula One after winning the GP2 title, and that is my goal as well.

“There is always pressure to succeed as a racing driver. When I moved to Champ Cars and GP2 there was pressure to prove I deserved another chance in Formula One.

“I have proved that, and now there is pressure to prove I belong in Formula One, and I am confident I can do that this year.”

As for Trulli, the 33-year-old goes into his 12th season in the sport – and his fourth for Toyota – confident he will be fighting regularly for points.

“I am probably more motivated than ever to have a good season,” said Trulli.

“When I joined Toyota, straight away I was on the podium and fighting at the front. It is frustrating we have not been in a position to do that in the last two seasons.

“I really want to get back to where I was in my first season with Toyota and move on from there.

“This team has more potential than the results we had in 2007. I honestly believe we belong much higher up, and I am fired up to help improve the team.”