Toyota want 'significant' improvement

"Firstly we have to perform significantly better than in 2007," said Howett as the team unveiled their new car for the 2008 season.

"As a team our ultimate objective is to win, that is the only reason we exist. I believe we have the hardware, we have the resources, as all the top teams do, we simply have to keep pushing to improve the total package and the performance and results will come.

"Clearly the car is improving, I think, dramatically and continually, but so are the other cars. It is therefore the relative rate of performance gain that is absolutely critical. We have to work harder and smarter than our competitors."

The Japanese squad, one of Formula One's biggest spenders, are yet to taste glory in the sport, having made their Grand Prix debut in 2002.

Last year Toyota finished in sixth place in the constructors' championship with only 13 points and a couple of sixth places as their best result.

Howett believes their 2007 season was better then their results showed.

He added: "My feeling is sometimes the car has been more competitive than the results show. Our performance has been variable and one issue has been the start because if you don't finish the first lap as you qualified you tend to race in that position."

Team principal Tadashi Yamashina added the team are still looking to start winning races soon.

"Of course, our ultimate target is the middle step of the podium - we are in Formula One to win and we want to do that soon," he said. "Our clear target in 2008 is to make a big improvement in our results because we were not satisfied with our performance last year.

"Our drivers should be aiming to finish in the points regularly and challenging for the podium. As a team we must do our bit to give the drivers a car which is capable of achieving our goals. The engineers and designers have pushed hard to develop the best possible car for the drivers and the work will not stop.

"Everyone in the team is focused on making a step forward and we will continue to put all our effort into improving the car throughout the year."