Salo: We Have a Very Steep Hill to Climb

Mika Salo´s decision to leave the Sauber team to take the role of Toyota´s test driver next season was a hard one, according to the Finn.

After much speculation about his future, Sauber announced last Thursday that Salo was leaving the team at the end of the year and going to Toyota, who will make their Formula 1 debut in 2002.

Salo, who will be the Japanese outfit´s main test driver, confessed that the decision to take a year off racing was not easy.

"My decision to test instead of race next year was not taken lightly or easily,” said the Finn. “But having seen how much effort is going into the Toyota F1 project, I am happy to take this step in the knowledge that my F1 experience will contribute significantly to the development of the team.”

Salo confessed he was excited about the future, but also admitted that it is going to be a very tough job.

“There can be no illusions; we have a very steep hill to climb,” he said. “There will be heartache and disappointments, but I welcome the challenge of helping in the birth of a new F1 team. Sometimes it is more satisfying to be more than just a race driver".

Toyota, who confirmed Salo´s post at a press conference yesterday at the Belgian Grand Prix, also took the opportunity to present their plans and prospects for the future.

"We are very aware that as the new boys in F1 and the only German based team, we will be watched closely by the world's media,” said Team President Ove Andersson. “In addition, as the largest Japanese automobile manufacturer and the third biggest in the world, we will never be far from the headlines".

Toyota, who will have their base in Cologne, Germany, did not reveal any technical details of their car, but said that their 30,000sqm factory will include its own wind tunnel and all the latest facilities.