With the chequered flag finally in sight on the longest season in Formula One history, Panasonic Toyota Racing is heading for its home race in Japan. The team, which has enjoyed the most successful season in its four years in the sport, will now look to cap off the year with a strong result in front of its armies of local supporters - along with the employees and executives of Toyota itself.

Jarno Trulli, along with teammate Ralf Schumacher will benefit from a new specification RVX-05 engine at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix. The performance step marks the end of Toyota's Formula 1 V10 development programme with the introduction of V8 units due in 2006.

For Jarno, who made his debut for Panasonic Toyota Racing at last year's Japanese Grand Prix, this time out he will be looking to leave with a bigger prize.

"Suzuka is a very good, technical circuit where set-up is even more important than usual because of the big mix of corners. We would obviously like to do well at the Japanese Grand Prix because it is the home race for our team,” he said. “The Japanese fans are passionate about the sport and they really get behind you - especially when you're driving for a Japanese team. I made my debut for Toyota here last year so I've already sampled the atmosphere - although it was a strange weekend because of the weather that wiped out Saturday's qualifying. But we have come a long way since then. This year we'll go there with much higher aims, and we could even have a chance of a podium. That would be a great way to cap off an excellent season."

Source: Toyota