F1 fans in Britain may well have seen the classic 70s chiller The Wicker Man earlier this week, British broadcaster ITV using the film to 'see in' the New Year.
The 1973 cult classic, a favourite of Pitpass editor Chris Balfe, tells the story of a policeman who visits a remote Scottish island in search of a young girl who has been reported missing. According to editor Balfe, just days ahead of the launch of the Toyota TF105, the Japanese outfit's future has much in common with this film.
"The policeman, played by Edward Woodward, is a devout Christian," explains Balfe, "and in all honesty something of a zealot. Therefore you can imagine his shock when he discovers that the inhabitants of the island are pagan.
"When asked about the missing girl, the islanders claim not to know her, but the policeman isn't convinced. The island is 'ruled' by Lord Summerisle, played by Christopher Lee in one of his finest performances, a direct descendent of the man who discovered the island. In spite of its location in the far north, the island somehow manages to grow the sort of produce normally found in far sunnier, southern climes.
"As he continues his investigations, the policeman comes to suspect that the missing girl may have been sacrificed. On discovering that the crops have failed he becomes utterly convinced.
"He realises, all too late, that he has been set up. The girl never was missing, but has instead been used to lure him to the island. In an elaborate plan, the islanders have sought out the policeman, knowing of his strict religious belief, and the fact that he is a virgin, with one aim - to sacrifice him in order that the gods will be pleased and that the following year's crops won't fail.
"The climax of the film sees Woodward being led to his fate, an appointment with the Wicker Man, a giant man-like edifice in which he is to be burned alive. Unlike many movies, there is no happy ending, the ceremony is carried out and Woodward is burned, while the islanders give a rousing rendition of Summer Is A-Coming In.
"As he is being told of his fate, Woodward attempts to warn the islanders, and Lord Summerisle, that what they are doing is wrong. He points out that if the crops fail again - which they surely will - the only sacrifice the gods will consider is the Lord himself. 'But they won't fail' says Lee."
So what's the connection between The Wicker Man and the Toyota TF105?
Quite simply, the TF105 has to work. This time there are no excuses.
The TF105 is Mike Gascoyne's first car for the Japanese outfit, and the Englishman has already said that the Toyota engine is one of the best in F1. Many believe that Gascoyne is one of the most gifted technical directors in F1, others aren't convinced.
Then there are the drivers, following another cull - something that Toyota appears to be rather good at - Cristiano da Matta and Olivier Panis make way for Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli, both proven winners.
"F1 has been harder than we expected," admits the Japanese manufacturer's vice-president Akihiko Saito in an interview with the Japanese media. "But that just means that it's a challenge worthy of our attentions. However, we can't afford to keep going without getting better results. We have simply invested too much money in the project.
"I've been so frustrated this season," he added. "Next year I demand a podium finish."
This year, Toyota has to move up several notches, and that doesn't mean scoring a few more points, the team needs several trips to the podium.
Otherwise the gods - or at least the board of directors back in Japan - might carry out the supreme sacrifice, and several high profile members of the Toyota F1 programme might find that they have an appointment with the Wicker Man, or its Cologne equivalent.
