Toyota motorsport president John Howett says his F1 team is ready to win its first race in 2009.
Howett is hungry for victory
Toyota Motorport president John Howett believes their underperforming Formula One team is ready score their first Grand Prix victory.
The Japanese manufacturer has not scored a single victory in their seven years of competing in F1. Howett was in a determined mood when he spoke at the launch of the 2009 Toyota car.
"For me the goal is clear - we want to win our first race," he said.
"To put ourselves in the best possible position to fight for our first win, we need to be consistently challenging for the podium and scoring big points regularly.
Stronger
"I can assure you we are hungry to win and ready to win, there should be no doubt about that. I believe we are stronger than ever heading into the 2009 season."
Howett believes that the regulation changes for the coming season, designed to cut costs and increase overtaking, may benefit his team.
He added: "The new regulations pose an extra challenge, but at the same time offer an opportunity.
"We have everything we need to win - some exceptionally talented people and huge motivation to succeed, so now it is down to us to actually make it happen."
Beneficial
Howett is happy with the controversial new rules, saying that the essence of the sport has not been lost in the search to save money and increase excitement.
"If the sport is dumbed down too much, or too many standard components are forced into the system, Formula One could become just another racing series," he said.
"But FOTA has achieved significant cost reductions while retaining the DNA of Formula One, and this is extremely beneficial in the current economic climate."
