Andersson expects stronger performance

Toyota boss Ove Andersson is keeping his expectations realistic for the 2003 season but believes the new TF103 should produce a stronger performance. Andersson thinks the points Toyota scored in its debut 2002 season were lucky and the pressures of ...

Toyota boss Ove Andersson is keeping his expectations realistic for the 2003 season but believes the new TF103 should produce a stronger performance. Andersson thinks the points Toyota scored in its debut 2002 season were lucky and the pressures of F1 were new to the fledgling team.

President Ove Andersson.

Photo by Toyota Racing.

"In my own mind, it was very clear when we got the points in the beginning that they were lucky," he said. "Coming back to Europe, and the home ground of the other teams, I knew we would face something completely different."

"The team was going into a full racing season for the first time, and it is not easy to appreciate the pressure on the team going racing every two weeks. You have to improve the car, test, and think about what you are going to do for next year. Yes, we did many tests in 2001, but the first real test for the whole team was going racing in Melbourne."

A new season, a new car and two new drivers gives Andersson the hope of qualifying in the top ten and scoring more of those valuable points. But he is not getting carried away with his expectations: "For 2002, we set realistic targets and this will not change for 2003," he said.

"With a stronger chassis in the TF103 and a new engine specification, I expect us to be in a stronger position. Realistically, we should be aiming for top ten qualifying positions in every race and to challenge for points on a regular basis."