Toyota Still Lacking Top Ten Pace, Says Andersson

The Toyota Formula One team have still a lot of work to do before having the pace to fight for the points this season, according to the Japanese squad's boss Ove Andersson.

The Cologne-based outfit, making their Formula One debut this year, have impressed with their performances in the first three races of 2002, with Finn Mika Salo finishing in sixth position both at the Australian and Brazilian Grands Prix.

However, Andersson has once more played down their performance so far in their rookie year, and claimed Toyota have benefitted from the retirements of other cars in front to grab their first points.

"I could not believe we again finished in the points in Brazil," said Andersson. "The team really deserved that result for their hard work. I think everyone at Toyota is very pleased with the general reliability of the car, but we are still a long way away from finishing in the top ten without the cars ahead of us dropping out.

"Our windtunnel in Cologne is now up-and-running, producing parts. We have made some aerodynamic changes for this weekend's race, so we shall see what that brings."

The Japanese squad will introduce various engine and electronics modifications at this weekend's San Marino Grand Prix, with also new aerodynamic parts and new brake materials making their debut in the TF102 chassis at Imola.