Toyota apologise for 2006 failure, target first win

COLOGNE, Germany, Jan 12 (Reuters) Toyota unveiled their new Formula One car today with an apology for failing to secure their first grand prix win last year and a determination to succeed in 2007.

''It was a really disappointing year,'' team boss Tsutomu Tomita said before the launch of the Cologne-based team's TF107 challenger to the sound of Japanese drummers.

''We made an unfortunate announcement about our first win just one year ago. We failed to succeed. We want to apologise to our worldwide fans and sponsors.'' The Japanese car giant finished last season sixth in the championship with 35 points, a disappointment after their strong showing in 2005 when they finished fourth with 88 points.

In five years in Formula One they have spent well over one billion dollars and they celebrate their 50th year in motorsport this season determined to improve on Italian Jarno Trulli's second places in Malaysia and Bahrain in 2005.

They are the only one of the 11 teams to start the season with the same two drivers -- Trulli and Germany's Ralf Schumacher -- the same engine and same tyre partner, Bridgestone.

''Our fundamental challenge this year is to get the first victory,'' said Tomita.

Newly appointed Toyota motorsport vice-chairman Tadashi Yamashina seconded that.

''The most important target to aim for this season is the first victory for Toyota in Formula One,'' he said. ''We want to be on the top step of the podium. We have improved in all areas, aerodynamics, suspension and gear change.'' Schumacher produced Toyota's only podium finish of 2006, with third place in the third round of the season in Australia, but the team said their lack of points painted a false picture.

''I think in terms of speed we had the third quickest package on the grid,'' said Toyota motorsport president John Howett.

''Looking at race pace and qualifying pace, we were closing the gap on Renault towards the end of the season but Ferrari was still in front.

''Although the results didn't show it, I think we are now capable of running with the top teams in terms of speed.'' Howett said the reliability problems had been addressed, with virtually no parts carried over from the old TF106 and TF106B cars raced last year and the introduction of a seamless shift gearbox for the first time.

''We have resolved issues like the launch system, which we fixed at the end of last season and which cost us dearly,'' he continued.

''We're improving the car, flat out, all the time. So I think we have the potential to win this year, and I'm disappointed that we didn't deliver it in 2006.'' The Formula One season starts on March 18 in Melbourne, the city where Toyota made their motorsport debut in 1957 with a Toyopet Crown in the Australian Rally.

REUTERS PDS VV1743