Toyota defend 2005 development pace

"I find this perception that we started well but didn't develop as well as other teams unfair," said Gascoyne.

"I think we have consistently been the third quickest car in a lot of races close to the end of the season. And we are probably the same 0.3-0.4s behind Renault that we were at the start.

"I don't see that we have dropped off."

The Japanese squad enjoyed their strongest season to date, scoring five podiums and finishing in fourth place in the constructors' standings behind Ferrari.

The Italian outfit, however, benefited from scoring a one-two at the United States Grand Prix, where they scored 18 points after all the Michelin runners withdrew due to safety reasons. Toyota finished 12 points behind Ferrari.

Gascoyne believes the Indianapolis race, and a bunch of missed opportunities, cost Toyota third place.

"We definitely missed out on some results. Monaco was going to be very strong but then Ralf had his qualifying accident, which affected Jarno, who was next out. I think we would certainly have had a podium there.

"At Nurburgring, Jarno would have been on the podium but we couldn't get the car started in time, and in Canada he was in a podium position when he had a brake failure. In Hungary we were third and fourth and were competitive again in the wet at Spa but made an incorrect strategy call.

"I am reasonably happy but I do rue the missed opportunities because they, combined with Indy, mean we did not finish third in the Championship, which I would have been very happy with.

"But overall you have to say we are the most improved team, we have done a good job and we are in a good position for next year given that we have been able to introduce the B car even before the end of the season."