For Trulli, 2008 marks the start of his fourth season with Toyota, and despite a difficult 2007 campaign, the Italian insisted he is optimistic about the year ahead.
“My hopes are always high because normally I am very positive,” he said. “I think that the team has got the potential, the resources, the people and everything necessary to bounce back to the position where we belong. I believe we can produce a good car for next year.
“I have been giving input into this car since the middle of the 2007 season, helping to develop the car to adapt to the new rules which ban traction control and engine braking. There is quite a big change in terms of electronics this year and I have spent time working with the team on this. I am doing all I can in order to help the team to step up.”
Toyotas 2008 race line-up blends youth and experience, with Glock moving up to his first full-time Formula One race drive. The German spent last year winning the GP2 championship, as well as serving as a BMW Sauber test driver. He also has Formula One race experience from his time with Jordan back in 2004.
“I cant wait,” said Glock of his imminent return to the grid. “It will be a very proud and exciting moment for me but I will also be focused on getting the best possible result in the race, as always. Formula One will be a little different compared to the other series I have raced in because I am racing against 21 of the best drivers in the world, but my job is still the same - to get the best possible result from my car.
“I want to have the most successful season possible. I aim to be consistent and to help the team move upwards. My first goal will be to regularly challenge for points and I believe we will be able to do that.
“Even though I have not raced in Formula One since 2004, I have tested quite regularly so I expect it will take very little time for me to get back in the groove. I have been lucky enough to race and succeed in several different championships in my career but my goal has always been to become a full-time Formula One race driver. I believe my experience has made me stronger as a driver and as a person.”
Trulli, Glock and Kobayashi are all scheduled to sample the TF108 at testing at Jerez in Spain next week.
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