Vasselon: Toyota closer to the front

"If you compare what is comparable, which means comparing times within the same test sessions and taking into account estimated fuel loads, you will see that at the moment the gap reflects a performance gain for the TF108 compared to last year," said Vasselon.

"Of course there is still a gap, it is not good enough, and we are constantly striving to close it, but compared to this time last year I believe we are much closer to the cars at the front of the grid."

Toyota, who scored just 13 points in a disappointing 2007 season, have so far failed to shine in winter testing with their TF108 car.

Italian driver Jarno Trulli said yesterday that expecting to fight for podiums in 2008 would be unrealistic given the gap to their rivals.

Vasselon admits, however, that the team have been pleased with the progress made with the new car.

"We are happy with the progress we have made with the TF108. It has been very obvious from the first test that the TF108 is a different animal compared to the TF107, with much better stability and an all-around much better basis to work on," he added.

"Our drivers feel a lot more confident in the car and they are able to push more. We have found that set-up work is much more straightforward and it is much easier to make progress in that area."

And the Frenchman reckons there is still more speed to be found in the TF108 before the season kicks off in March.

"There is still plenty of performance left to come from this car before we race for the first time. We have new parts coming through continuously but the biggest upgrade to the package will come just before the Australian Grand Prix.

"It is a process of continuous development which will peak just before Melbourne."