Bahrain GP Race Round-Up


Da Matta

By Toyota F1 Media
April 11 2004

The Toyota F1 team would see their drivers finish 9th & 10th, with Panis in front of Da Matta. It was a race that was frustrating for both drivers after their improved performances in practice and qualifying.

 
Bahrain GP Race Round-Up
 
Sunday 4 April 2004

Da MattaCristiano da Matta (Car 16, Chassis TF104/02)
Session Classification: 10th, +1 lap (from race winner)
Grid: 9th
"It was a difficult race and quite disappointing after our relatively strong performances in free practice and qualifying this weekend. I suffered from a lack of grip throughout most of the race, which prevented me of making any significant gains. Generally, it was frustrating because I thought we were capable of more than tenth place today. Now, we have to continue to work hard before the European season starts in Imola in three weeks."

PanisOlivier Panis (Car 17, Chassis TF104/03)
Session Classification: 9th, +1 lap (from race winner)
Grid: 8th
"It has been a positive weekend for everyone at Toyota. We opted for an aggressive three-stop strategy, which I think was the best for us today. Although it is frustrating to finish ninth, we have all worked hard to perform as well as we could. I must say thanks to Michelin, who provided us with some invaluable support and competitive tyres this weekend. We have shown another increase in our overall level of performance and we have to keep putting in our best combined effort to improve on this even more in Imola."

Tsutomu Tomita - Team Principal
"Well done to both drivers and the team! It has been a highly satisfying two days for Panasonic Toyota Racing and reward for all the hard work we have all put in since the opening race of the season. To get both cars in the top ten is a tremendous achievement. The cars have been reasonably competitive throughout the whole weekend with a good balance.

Considering the reliability we have demonstrated so far this season, we have to look at getting two cars home in the points tomorrow. The Michelin tyre choice was quick and clear for us after yesterday's free practice and the choice has been confirmed by our performance today. We are very happy with the tyres in terms of one-lap performance and consistency, so all in all we are looking good for tomorrow."

T-car: TF104/04 (set-up for Olivier Panis)
Spare chassis: TF104/01

Panasonic Toyota Racing will be testing in Barcelona next week. Olivier Panis and Ricardo Zonta kick off the three-day test on Tuesday with Cristiano da Matta taking over from Panis on Thursday.
 
 

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