Trulli hails 'best Toyota I have driven in'

[Dare]

I hope Trulli does well this year.After Honda bailed out you have to
give Toyota a little credit for hanging in there

Wednesday 25th March 2009   Planet F1
 
Jarno Trulli is convinced his pre-season confidence is not misplaced ahead of a campaign in which he has never felt so fired up.


If the indicators from testing in the last two months are anything to go by then Toyota appear to be one of the front-running teams going into Sunday's curtain-raising Australian Grand Prix.


That has raised hopes and expectations their seven season-long wait for a race victory will finally come to an end this year.


After just one win so far from 199 starts in his F1 career, veteran Trulli could hardly be more enthusiastic.


"The car is the best Toyota I have driven in pre-season testing," said the Italian.


"It feels stable and gives the driver confidence, but more importantly it seems to be pretty quick, even though it's hard to make too many judgements based on testing.


"But we made a big step last year, proving we can fight for podiums and finish regularly in the top six, so I am hoping for another step forward this year.


"We have more experience now and the team has worked really hard for a long time on the car, so we are ready for the season and I am raring to go.


"I'm totally fired up and feeling very positive about our chances."


Like Brawn GP, formed from the now defunct Honda Racing, Toyota have spent a considerable amount of time working on their new car.


And like Trulli, team-mate Timo Glock also feels he is in with more than a strong chance of claiming Toyota's long-overdue maiden race win.


"The new technical regulations for this year give us a good opportunity to fight at the front," insisted the German.


"It's really hard to predict because you don't know what other teams have worked on in testing, but I know our programme and the results we have seen were very encouraging.


"Testing went really well and I have a good feeling for the new car."


Glock also feels more confident following a season under his belt with the team in which he grew in stature as it progressed.


"It's a different emotion to be starting my second year with Toyota compared to 2008," added Glock.


"Now I am much more familiar with the team and I feel I can really start the season strongly.


"Last year it took a few races to find the right direction for me in terms of set-up, but I don't expect that to be a problem this season."


Underlining the optimism currently existing within Toyota, motor sport president John Howett freely concedes this new season is a big one for the team and that "high targets" have been set.


Putting pressure on the team to deliver, and on the drivers to get the maximum out of the car, Howett is demanding a top-three finish in Australia.


"We exist to win, so that is clearly the aim this season and we have every reason to be optimistic after our extremely positive testing results," said Howett.


"This is our eighth season in Formula One and we have learnt a lot in that time; we are leaner, more experienced and better equipped to succeed.


"So 2009 is a big opportunity for our team and we are determined to make the most of it. We have been on the podium in the past in Australia, and I would like to see us there again this weekend."