NEWS
Drivers & Staff Q+A: Tsutomu Tomita – Chairman and Team Principal Interviewed by TMG Public Relations04.02.2006
| toyota-f1.com Interview | |
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What is the goals for Panasonic Toyota Racing this year?
Obviously, our main goal for the 2006 F1 season is to reach the center spot on the podium. We are doing everything in our power to reach this goal, but we certainly do not underestimate the challenges we will face, or the difficulty of F1 competition. Even after capturing our first victory, we will have much more work to do. We will have to strive even harder to protect our position. Our goals require that we hit the first race in full attack mode.
Which of the races do you see as the most important?
I think the first three races of the season, Bahrain, Sepang and Melbourne, are probably the most important. We have an excellent chance to win one of these three. We already have plans to introduce our B–specification machine part way through the season, so I don’t believe we will run out of breath before the final race is run.
Our new machine this year is an extension of the development behind the TF105B. I think this car is at a higher level than any of our cars over the past four years. And my views are backed by the technical data; there is plenty of objective support for my opinions. We have already reached a rather high level of reliability with the new V8 engine that we will be using. Beginning in autumn last season, we ran into vibration issues and quite a few other failures. Honestly speaking, I was worried if we’d make it through to the end. But the car stood in for us quite well. Compared with last year’s V10, we are working with two fewer cylinders and a drop-off of 200 horsepower. But even so, I think our lap times will be right where they were, given the rules allowing tire changes and the degree of development that has gone into our machine.
This year we will be racing with Bridgestone tires, and I am very confident in the technical capabilities of that company. With the addition of Panasonic Toyota Racing, Bridgestone will have the advantage of being able to collect that much more data. For our part, we are approaching our testing program with the goal of becoming the number one team for Bridgestone. I think this is something we need to do to build a relationship of trust with Bridgestone. It is very important to go into this fight with teammates that have the same goals.
Lastly, can we have a message for the fans visiting the official Panasonic Toyota Racing website?
We are now coming into our fifth year in F1 competition. We are in a position to capture a victory sooner than I ever dreamed, and I feel a true sense of accomplishment to be where we are now. Certainly, five years is quite a long time in for an organization or an individual, but in the F1 world, five years has seemed to pass in an instant. Honestly speaking, I had some reservations early on, wondering whether we were approaching F1 competition in the right way, but now I am completely confident. I also feel keenly that I have grown quite a bit as a person over the past five years.
Toyota has gone through tough times in F1, and I’m sure our fans have had bouts of impatience. More than anything this year, I want to score a victory, and share that joy with our fans who have been so supportive over the years. Please continue to cheer us on.
