Gascoyne downplays Toyota improvement

The Japanese manufacturer have struggled to generate sufficient heat into their Bridgestone tyres - which resulted in a disastrous Bahrain Grand Prix outing.

And although the TF106 has appeared to be slightly more competitive in Malaysia, Gascoyne believes that probably has more to do with the warmer temperature than any breakthrough in car set-up.

"This showed where we expected to be pre-season," he said after seeing Trulli set the 13th best time but move up five places because of engine penalties elsewhere on the grid.

"All the Bridgestone runners have the problem of the tyre being less peaky, but it is less of a problem here because of the temperature. In the cool it could drop out of the window.

"We know what the problem is, but why it is affecting us is difficult to work out. The track in Bahrain stresses the tyre less. Here it is more aggressive on the tyre, so we knew it would be less of a problem."

Although there are hopes that some of the team's issues with Bridgestone tyre will be resolved by a B-spec car coming on board for Monaco, Gascoyne is keen to play down expectations of the new chassis.

"The B car is due for Monaco, but it's not a big thing: some aero and suspension changes," he said. "This (problem) is more complex and general than that."