Gascoyne Key to Toyota's Title Challenge

The appointment of a new Chassis Technical Director does not sound like the way to mount a title challenge, but that is what Toyota were hoping when they poached Mike Gascoyne from Renault last year.

Gascoyne is widely regarded as one of the top technical men in the sport and, according to Toyota drivers Cristiano da Matta and Olivier Panis, his influence has already had an effect on the Formula One backmarkers.

"When Mike was contracted by the team, I was very happy because I knew that's what the team needed," Brazilian da Matta said at the launch of Toyota's 2004 car on Saturday.

"I didn't know him personally, but I knew about his work and I knew he was the right guy for the place. After working with him for a few weeks now, he is way above my expectations, a real positive change."

Panis explained what qualities the Briton had brought to the team.

"He's experienced and knows exactly what to do with the car," said the Frenchman, who, at 37, is the oldest driver in Formula One. "But it's also about the way he talks, he's very motivational and already people are smiling more. He understands how important team spirit is."

Gascoyne said he had made it his priority to take a longer term view of development.

"We want to improve and finish fifth, but that's not our aim," he said. "Our aim is to win the World Championship and you don't do that by putting all your efforts into what's going on now, you've got to develop for the future."

Huge Investment

The Briton said he had had very little input into the TF104, which Toyota are hoping will help them improve on their eighth-place finish in last season's Championship.

"I only joined on December 1 and if I'd started to change everything then it would have been chaos, but I think (chief designer) Gustav (Brunner) and his team have a done a great job," he said.

"But we're looking to develop it straight away and although some of the changes I want to make will take time, hopefully you'll see them sooner rather than later. I'm confident that we have the right things here to succeed but it's just how quickly we can get them through and on the car."

Gascoyne is aware of what Toyota expect in return for the huge investment they made before and since joining Formula One two years ago.

"Toyota are very clear why they've come into Formula One," he added. "They've invested in top-class facilities and they're now expecting the results."