Toyota have high expectations of their time in Formula One, and they appear to be going about achieving them in the right way.

They took an understated approach to their debut season, setting themselves no targets, and employed two drivers who ensured that no-one would be expecting too many fireworks.

Toyota made not a bad fist of their first attempt at an F1 car – it had an impressively strong engine, but lacked the downforce needed for genuine pace.

Toyota as a team looked professional and well-organised – every bit, in fact, a team that was going places.

The real difficulties lie ahead, though.

It is often said that it is a new team’s second season in F1 that is the most difficult.

That is because while their first car is built while they are building up the team, the second has to be designed while they are racing the first – a far more complicated prospect.

Toyota’s progress in 2002 will be watched with interest – not least because many believe they will grow into genuine contenders in the not-too-distant future.