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Toyota launch: Cautious aims for 2003

Toyota has set the conservative aim of "scoring points regularly" for its second season of racing in Formula 1

The team unveiled this year's TF103 at the Paul Ricard circuit in southern France today (Wednesday), and made it clear expectations are no more than realistic at the Japanese car giant.

Team boss Ove Andersson said: "Last year was one of firsts. We came, we saw and we learned. Toyota's philosophy of continual improvement will be adopted again.

"Our aims for 2003 are higher but realistic. We want to qualify one [car] at least in the top 10 at every race and we aim to score points regularly. In Olivier Panis and Cristiano da Matta we have the perfect driver combination."

Panis, who has switched from BAR to Toyota for this year, said: "I think both of us will do what's best for the team. We have to try as often as possible to qualify in the top 10 and score points. We are ready for that.

"All the basic ingredients are in place for the team to make a big jump up the grid in 2003, but for me to comment further on how much progress we can make, I need to test the new car."

Panis gave the car its maiden run at Paul Ricard after the launch. He completed six laps in wet conditions.

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