Toyota Must Chase Wins in 2005, Says Gascoyne

Toyota should aim to be race winners within the next two years before targeting the Formula One title in 2006, according to technical director Mike Gascoyne.

Gascoyne, who joined Renault from Jordan in 2000 and helped them to become winners this year, formally started work at Toyota on Monday after being signed in October.

"Having changed teams twice and made them into winners, I'm very confident in my ability to do that, especially with the resources that Toyota have," he told the BBC. "I made the decision between Renault and Toyota and for me the thing is to be World Champions.

"I think it should be possible to become winners relatively quickly because Toyota have elements in place that the other (two) teams didn't have," said Gascoyne. "I want to do that very quickly so we can go on and challenge for the Championship.

"We have to be winning races in two years' time - by 2005 - and challenge for the Championship the year after."

The Briton agreed with team boss Ove Andersson's view that the team, eighth overall this year in their second season, could finish 2004 in the top five.

"Toyota are very committed to winning the world title and have taken a very measured approach. We would have to aim at being fifth," said Gascoyne.

"I do think it is realistic to aim to be fifth. Whether it's achievable, I'm not in a position to judge," he added.