Toyota back new drivers to deliver on investment
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Your support makes all the difference.A backdrop of snow-capped mountains, opulent facilities and a meticulously choreographed presentation – Formula One seemed as beautiful, elitist and sassy as ever.
But the year's first car launch brought a reminder of the ruthless business that is grand prix racing. Toyota unveiled the TF103, which carries their hopes in their second season, and formally introduced their new drivers, the Frenchman Olivier Panis and Brazil's Christiano da Matta.
They replace Scotland's Allan McNish and the Finn, Mika Salo, who were dismissed after the team's maiden world championship effort.
Toyota, said to be spending £20m a year on their venture, are intent on lifting themselves from joint bottom of the table, their objective to qualify in the top 10 and score regular points.
Ove Andersson, their principal, expressed his confidence in the new drivers to achieve those aims, but made it clear that Toyota would be similarly brutal if they felt Panis and Da Matta were not up to the task. The drivers have one-year contracts with one-year options, which will be exercised only if they live up to expectations.
Andersson said: "We will be just as uncompromising with these drivers if we have to be. There is a chance they won't be here next year. What happened to Allan McNish is part of life in Formula One.
"We needed new motivation and experience to reach the higher target. It's very easy to be a midfield team, but to get to the front with the big boys is a big step. Whether that happens this year or not, we'll have to wait and see, but it has to happen.''
Panis, 36, left BAR Honda and has already convinced the Toyota team that he was a wise choice. But, although Da Matta was the CART champion last season, some observers have wondered about his ability to reach such a level in Formula One. Some CART imports, including Michael Andretti, have struggled but others, notably Jacques Villeneuve and Juan Pablo Montoya, have been more successful.
Andersson is content that Da Matta is "up to speed'', but the driver will be at a disadvantage because he is unfamiliar with many of the circuits.
Da Matta, conscious of the team's demands, said philosophically: "They had their reasons for getting rid of the other drivers and they had their reasons for hiring me. My target is the same as the team's.
"Everything is different from CART, it's a lot more sophisticated, technically, and I have only a short time to adapt. There is some expectation of me because I am the champion of CART but I don't think I have anything to prove for CART.
"I came here because this team, unlike some of the others, has the possibility to win some day. It is a team with a bright future, with resources and it is serious about winning.''
A third new driver, another Brazilian, Ricardo Zonta, will be in reserve and undertake much of the testing workload.
The season begins with the Australian Grand Prix, at Melbourne, on 9 March.
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