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Trulli: Toyota's First Win is Coming

Toyota did not leave Formula 1 – as Honda did – due to financial difficulties, but they do expect their F1 management to bring home the Japanese manufacturer's first win in the Great Circle. John Howett's team have spent an immense amount of money inside the sport and are expected to finally have their breakthrough year, especially with the new change in regulations.

Team's leading driver – for some time now – Jarno Trulli expressed his belief that 2009 will bring him a maiden win with the Japanese constructor. The Italian has been racing for Toyota throughout the last 4 years, highlighting only a couple of runner-up spots in his first year with the Koln-based team (back in 2005). However, the Pescara-born driver acknowledged that Toyota will not be pumping money without demanding for quick results much more.

“I can feel it: 2009 will be the year of my first victory with Toyota. Mine is a challenge inside a challenge, with the car manufacturing giant seriously investing in F1 to demonstrate its great technology and potential. I can't say anything about the car yet, but I know there will be some very interesting new things,” Trulli was quoted as saying to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

Toyota have certainly up their game in 2008, after Timo Glock joined Jarno Trulli in the starting lineup. The team improved to 5th overall in the Constructors' classification, finishing with almost 4 times the points scored in 2007. Keeping this ascending trend is certainly top priority for the only Japanese manufacturer left in the series.

The team focused part of their 2008 campaign to develop the car for the upcoming season. Unlike rivals McLaren Mercedes and BMW Sauber, Toyota are still to test their newly-developed KERS system on track, their only test so far focusing on the new aerodynamic package for 2009 (at Barcelona). Also, Trulli tested the new standard slick tires at Bahrain, on December 12.
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