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Glock expects short term struggle

Timo Glock has warned that Toyota could initially take a step backwards while they work to understand their very different 2008 car

The team have taken a new direction with the TF108 chassis in the wake of two disappointing seasons, and while Glock was positive after his first test in the new car, he admitted that there was a lot of work to do.

"What is clear is that we can't think the new car is the new 'wonderbaby' and we will be five seconds quicker or whatever," Glock told reporters at Jerez.

"It's a completely different car compared to the old car, and first of all we have to find out how the car is and how we can improve it.

"It has a longer wheelbase, it's completely different aerodynamically. We have to understand it and how it works, and then just improve it from test to test.

"Overall, it's more consistent. The positive side is it's more stable on the rear and that makes it a bit easier to drive. I think to find out the problems is a little bit easier with this car than the old car."

Glock is confident that Toyota's decision to make a fresh start with their 2008 design will ultimately pay off even if it initially costs the team ground.

"It would be a disappointment to be slower than last year's car, but that's not the case at the moment," he said.

"The question is how everybody else develops their cars. The point is that we have a completely new car and completely new aerodynamics, and that's what we need to understand.

"It could be a little step back, but in the end it will pay off when we understand how the car works and make it quicker."

The German was satisfied with the car's pace in yesterday's test, and believes Toyota already have a clear idea of how to improve it.

"Today we are just one second off. Okay, in F1 a second is a lot, but for the first roll-out and proper test I think it is okay," he said.

"We know where we have to develop the car, and that is quite positive.

"We have to develop the car aero-wise, top speed-wise, and make it more efficient, that's quite clear. But at the end, we have to develop in every direction."

Glock remains confident that Toyota can turn their fortunes around in the longer-term.

"We still have hard work to do in the next month," he said.

"What is clear is that we have to work even harder than all the other teams, and we can't do that in two or three months. We need more time, and that's what we have.

"But I'm really happy that the team is still really motivated. It's good fun to work with them, and I think there are a lot of good ideas on how we can improve the car."

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