Abu Dhabi GP: Toyota wants to finish on a high note

Panasonic Toyota Racing hopes to end the season on a high note for the very first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, held at the new Yas Marina Circuit. John Howett, the team president, believes that the season has been successful and is pleased to see that Toyota is capable of producing a competitive car.

However, the team, which has the biggest budget on the grid, remains far from its ambitions of victories and titles for its seventh season in Formula One. Toyota started off with a bang in 2002 by immediately positioning itself in the middle of the pack. But since then, the team has struggled to take off despite a few standout performances, such as the start of the 2005 or 2009 seasons, where the team achieved a string of podiums. Yet each time, Toyota fails to keep up the pace and loses momentum as the season progresses. Mike Gascoyne recently stated on this topic that he believes this loss of momentum is due to the overly large structure of Toyota, resulting in a lack of responsiveness.

Nevertheless, Jarno Trulli and Kamui Kobayashi are determined to finish the season on a high note. Kamui Kobayashi is replacing Timo Glock for the second time, after the previous race in Brazil, because the German has a fractured vertebra following his accident in Japan.

Jarno Trulli – Race Driver:

It was a season of ups and downs for us, with a good start followed by some disappointing races in Europe, and then a year-end where we were really competitive. Since Abu Dhabi is a new track, it’s impossible to predict if we will perform well, but after the speed we’ve shown over the past three races, I’m confident of ending the year on a high note. I was very frustrated to be knocked out by an accident in Brazil because we looked very fast all weekend and I truly believe we had a fantastic chance to finish on the podium. So I’m confident for this weekend and really motivated to achieve another great result before the season ends. Abu Dhabi seems to be a fantastic new venue, and I’m really curious to see how the track will be in terms of driving. I’m looking forward to starting the Friday practice.

Kamui Kobayashi – Racing Driver

I am really looking forward to competing in my second Grand Prix, and I want to make the most of this unexpected opportunity. I didn’t know the track in Brazil, which was a bit of a disadvantage because almost all the other drivers had some experience on that track. But that’s not the case in Abu Dhabi, it’s a new track for everyone, so that should help me. I am also more familiar with the car now, as well as other procedures over the weekend like refueling and the two tire compounds, so I expect to be more competitive in Abu Dhabi. I am sure the car will perform well and I will do everything I can to try to score my first points in Formula One. Of course, it will be extremely difficult because the field is extremely tight and it’s only my second Grand Prix, but I will give my best.

John Howett – Team President:

We are really looking forward to participating in this first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which marks the end of a eventful and positive season for us. Even though we have not yet achieved all our objectives, we have produced a very competitive car and when we have maximized its potential, we have been able to consistently fight for the podium. After discussing with Timo Glock’s medical team, the team decided to take no risks and put Kamui Kobayashi in the car. He proved in very difficult circumstances in Brazil that he can race in Formula One and we expect another excellent performance from him. This track is new to him once again, but it is the same for everyone, which should favor Kamui. Therefore, we expect a strong performance from both our drivers.