
Toyota Racing
Toyota Racing is a Formula One team owned by Japanese car manufacturer Toyota and based in Cologne, Germany. Toyota announced their plans to participate in F1 in 1999, and after extensive testing with their TF101 initial car, the team made their debut in 2002. The new team has grown from Toyota’s long standing European Toyota Motorsport organisation, which has previously competed in the World Rally Championship and the 24 hours of Le Mans. Despite a point in their first ever race, Toyota F1 have not yet won a grand prix, their best finish being a couple of 2nd place finishes during the 2005 season, when it achieved three podiums and a pole position, as well as finishing fourth in the world constructors’ championship with 88 points.
Toyota has drawn criticism for their lack of results, especially after the 2006 Formula One season, in which the team’s best result was 3rd place in the Australian Grand Prix. Toyota is an extremely well funded team, being a big manufacturer, and despite this coupled with their huge ambitions, strong results have never been consistent. The team’s drivers in 2007 were Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher. Schumacher was not signed to continue for the 2008 season. The team have signed reigning GP2 Champion Timo Glock for 2008. Overall Toyota powered cars had been on various Formula one podiums 12 times.
Formula One World Championship Career:
Debut 2002 Australian Grand Prix Latest race 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix Races competed 123 Championships 0 Drivers' Championships 0 Race victories 0 Pole positions 2 Fastest laps 1 2008 position 5th (56 points)
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