Ralf Schumacher challenges Toyota
Ralf Schumacher has challenged Toyota to prove they are serious about challenging in Formula One by winning a race next season.
The big-spending team finally showed signs of progress this season, with Jarno Trulli claiming their first podium and pole positions in Formula One.
Toyota ended the season fourth in the constructors’ championship, although would have been third had Ferrari not taken 18 points from the Indianapolis fiasco, and Schumacher expects even better next year.
The Cologne-based are said to have the biggest budget in Formula One, with estimates putting it around £250million a season, and Schumacher wants that investment rewarded with wins in 2006.
He said: “We are looking to win some races. That’s what our target should be and let’s hope it is a realistic one.”
The German, who left Williams last winter, has been impressed by Toyota’s commitment to success in Formula One.
He added: “I came from Williams, a very experienced team, to one where I thought there might still be work to do, but I arrived at a team that is a lot better organised than I have experienced before.
“They are very motivated people, with a great spirit. People on the outside say that the team looks too big to react quickly but it is structured very well and there is such a hunger to do well that it is very enjoyable place to work.”
Team-mate Trulli is also relishing life at Toyota, hailing his move from Renault as “the best thing I have done in my life”.
“I found new people with a lot of commitment, very hard working and really passionate about the sport,” he added.
“I could never have expected such a high profile from this team and such good performance in general from the car and such good attitude.”
The Italian concedes a relatively young team such as Toyota will find life at the top tougher than powerhouses such as Ferrari or McLaren, but still takes encouragement from their best season yet in Formula One.
He said: “Starting the season so well I thought that if we were able to use all our potential we were going to blow everybody away, but unfortunately experience plays an important role in Formula One.
“The resources are there but we are still a young team and we have to learn to use them properly.
“By mid season other teams had caught us up. It was a difficult end of the season I’d say, but nevertheless I was always fighting to qualify in the top five positions.
“That was extremely good and I could never have dreamed of doing that at the beginning of the season.”
