Formula One news

'One Aim' remains for Howett and Toyota

Toyota has not drifted away from the desire to win its first Grand Prix this season. After a strong start to the year saw a peak in Bahrain, when both cars locked out the front row of the grid at the fourth round, the Japanese team has slipped back although team president John Howett is confident that race victory remains a realistic possibility.

Jarno Trulli seized pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix

John Howett has been very much at the heart of headlines this year as vice chairman of the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), which proved a demanding role amid the FIA-FOTA war surrounding the likes of budget cap proposals. With the controversy now having died down, Howett stresses that his team is still focusing on its sole objective of 2009.

"We are more than halfway through the season, having scored several strong results, and we have a competitive car at our disposal," said the Englishman, who has witnessed the highs of Bahrain and the lows of Monaco this year, when both cars started from the back of the grid. "Naturally, we want better results and we expected to finish on the podium more frequently but we are relatively pleased with the fundamental pace of our car.

Toyota achieved three podium finishes from the first four races of the 2009 World Championship

"The all-Toyota front row in Bahrain was a proud moment for everyone in the team and to see two Toyotas leading the field, setting the fastest lap on the way, was really special. Of course, we all wish it had continued like that until the chequered flag but it wasn't to be." The red and white logo sits fourth in the Constructors' championship at present, which would be a match with the team's best end-of-year result from 2005.

"Our organisation exists to win races so that is always the goal and this year I believe we are closer than ever to doing that," Howett continued. "The surest way of winning our first Grand Prix is to pursue a relentless development programme driving performance on; this is a team effort and everyone is working flat-out together to fulfil the huge potential of the TF109 - we'll see how the rest of the season goes but we have the passion and dedication to win this year."

more news

• 25 Nov.
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming
• 23 Nov.
  • GPUpdate TV: Sam Michael - building on 2009
  • Theissen waiting on entry decision
  • Mercedes delighted with Rosberg confirmation
  • Confirmed: Rosberg to Mercedes for 2010
  • Manor hoping to run in late January
  • Mercedes poised to announce first driver
  • Kobayashi: I expected to be re-signed
  • Nakajima future in Toyota's hands
  • Klien still hoping for 2010 seat
  • McLaren line-up will work, says Ecclestone
  • López: USF1 deal coming next week
• 22 Nov.
  • Photos: 2009 Toyota Motor Sports Festival
  • Vettel surprised by Button team switch
• 21 Nov.
  • Mercedes: No Schumacher drive with us
  • López close to USF1 deal
  • Options open for Bourdais
• 20 Nov.
  • FIA was using new teams, says Lola
  • Rossi and Newey to contest endurance race
  • Wolff: Worth of privateers on the up
  • Equity sale for 'private motives' - Williams
  • USF1 considering 12 drivers
  • Photos: SKUSA karting event, Las Vegas
  • Buemi and Schumacher to kart in Las Vegas
  • Clock ticking for Silverstone

Homepage