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Toyota F1 is a Formula One team run 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, when 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 has not been signed to continue in 2008. The team tried to sign up double world champion Fernando Alonso, but the Spaniard declined[citation needed]. The team have signed reigning GP2 Champion Timo Glock for 2008.
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