Toyota Unveil the TF103 at Paul Ricard

The Toyota Formula One team unveiled today their new challenger for the 2003 season - the TF103 - at the Paul Ricard circuit in France.

The team said the TF103 is an evolution of last season's car, rather than a radical new design. The TF103 is the product of a design group led by chief designer Gustav Brunner and co-ordinated by Keizo Takahashi.

"We have made gains with this car in every area," said Brunner, a former technical director at the Minardi team. "I hope that we have come up with a good compromise between building a fast car, but also a reliable one. That is the challenge in Formula One.

"Our TF103 car differs considerably from last year's TF102 design. Our in-house windtunnel has been fully operational since July and we have taken a huge aerodynamic step forward. We are looking to challenge for points in 2003, so we have changed almost everything to create the TF103, but it is an evolution of the TF102, rather than a revolution."

Toyota scored two points in their debut season last year, finishing in tenth place in the Constructors' Championship. Team boss Ove Andersson said they have set higher but realistic targets for the new season.

"I would like to see us challenging competitively for points on a regular basis in 2003," said Andersson. "It is an ambitious target, but we have to aim high this year because we are no longer the new kids on the block.

"It is what everyone expects from Toyota as the world's third largest car manufacturer and we will do our utmost to achieve this goal."

The team have already gathered a lot of information about the TF103, thanks to an intermediary version of the TF102, which has run since September with the 2003-spec engine and seven-speed gearbox.

"We have already tested the RVX-03 in the TF102B interim car and we have already a good feeling about progress made," said Luca Marmorini, the man responsible for the design of the engine.

"The priority was to reduce the weight of the engine, but at the same time maintain the reliability of last season's RVX-02."

The team will begin testing at Circuit Paul Ricard tomorrow with Frenchman Olivier Panis at the wheel of the TF103, whilst Brazilian Cristiano da Matta will run in the TF102B as he continues to acclimatise to the demands of Formula One following his CART title.