Toyota launch: Drivers can't wait
The drivers for Toyota's nascent Formula 1 World Championship challenge say they can't wait for the Australian Grand Prix to come round in March, 2002
At the launch of the Toyota TF102 car in Cologne, Germany, Allan McNish and Mika Salo both spoke of their excitement at the season ahead.
"There's no feeling of trepidation at this point, just anticipation ahead of Melbourne," said McNish. "Qualifying in Australia is when the butterflies will start. This is a very big time for both myself and the team.
"It is a dream come true for me, and there was a period I didn't think that it would happen. Now Melbourne cannot come quickly enough," he added.
Salo, who took a year out of Formula 1 to test for Toyota during this season, was similarly upbeat.
"We have done everything we wanted to do," said the Finn. "With other teams I have seen how to do it and how not to do it. It's a new challenge for us, and it has been good to see it grow from zero.
"I've never been so happy in all of my life. Expectations for next year are very high from me."
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