Toyota expect performance gain in Spain

LONDON, May 8 (Reuters) Fifth placed Toyota hope to show they have narrowed the gap with Formula One's top teams in Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix.

''We have made some aerodynamic changes to our car since the last race and, after a positive test at Barcelona, I am confident we will see an improvement in our performance this weekend,'' said German driver Ralf Schumacher in a team statement today.

''We will have to wait and see how much we have moved forward but my goal is to get back among the points after two disappointing races,'' he added.

Big-spending Toyota have scored five points from three races with Italian Jarno Trulli, seventh in Bahrain last month, collecting four of them. They are just four points behind champions Renault.

In 2005, the team's best season to date, Trulli and Schumacher finished third and fourth respectively in Spain.

''We will have a significant upgrade of our aerodynamic package for the Spanish Grand Prix, including a new engine cover, a new floor and new rear crash structure,'' said chassis general manager Pascal Vasselon.

''We are confident it will bring better performance in Barcelona.'' REUTERS AKD RK2014