Toyota 'hugely disappointed' with result.

Although pleased to score their first double points finish of the season with sixth and seventh in front of their home fans, Toyota claim they are 'hugely disappointed' that they were unable to convert their second row lockout into a podium finish at Suzuka.

Qualifying third and fourth for their best combined performance of the season, Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli had gone into the race targeting a spot on the podium, only to find that the Bridgestone tyre advantage that had got them at the front of the grid was not as evident in the race itself.

Nonetheless, both Schumacher and Trulli got a good start, coming out of the first corner in third and fifth places respectively with Fernando Alonso in between. Lap 13 would see Alonso get past Schumacher for third, a move that was also vital in getting Trulli, who had pitted a lap earlier, back out in front of his team-mate.

Now running in fourth and fifth, albeit with Trulli leading the way, the earlier pit stops for the Toyota drivers were not proving to be as beneficial as hoped and eventually they would slip behind later stopping Giancarlo Fisichella, Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen, the duo finishing the race nose-to-tail in sixth and seventh.

Although the five point haul puts them one point off BMW for fifth in the constructors', Toyota boss Tsutomu Tomita was nonetheless frustrated not to have been able to keep their rivals at bay during the pit stop period, particularly as they had managed to keep up with Ferrari and Renault early on.

"That was an exhausting race and we are hugely disappointed because our target was to finish on the podium today. Yesterday's qualifying gave us fantastic grid positions and the dry conditions were perfect.

"We made good starts and although Jarno lost a place after Alonso's brave move we were able to keep up with the pace of the leaders during the first stint. Our first pit stop came just one or two laps before most of the other cars so our strategy was right again."

Still, both Trulli and Schumacher were content with their pace, particularly coming off the back of an awful race in China where they struggled throughout the weekend, even if they too feel they could have finished higher.

"Three points is not a bad result at the Japanese Grand Prix, but we thought we would do better today," Trulli said. "I made a good start but I was boxed in going into the first corner and when I tried to go around the outside I lost a place. Early on the car felt good and I was easily able to stay with the leading cars.

"After the pit stop I was able to put in a quick lap on new tyres and I gained a place. Unfortunately it turned into a hard race for me after the second stop. Our strategy was pretty good, but I had several problems and struggled with my last set of tyres, especially on the first ten laps. So we could have had more but the important thing is that we both scored points for the constructors' championship."