Toyota runs new TF104B in Friday German practice


Zonta

By Toyota F1 Media
July 25 2004

The Toyota F1 team would run their new TF104B in Friday practice for the German Grand Prix. The day would be more of a test session as many of the new parts were been used for the first time. As a result times were not representative of what the car may achieve.

 
German GP Friday Practice
 
Grand Prix of Germany - Free Practice Round-Up
Friday 23 July 2004

Da MattaCristiano da Matta (Car 16, Chassis TF104/10B)
First Session Classification: 12th, 21 laps completed Lap Time: 1m17.111s (+1.355s)

Second Session Classification: 18th, 26 laps completed Lap Time: 1m17.300s (+2.299s)


"We opted to do our tyre comparison work in the first of today's practice sessions, before turning our attention to setting up the new TF104B car. As a result of this, we did not do any runs on new tyres in the second session, so the times are unrepresentative. Most of the updated aerodynamic parts have only been run for the first time today, so it is difficult to gauge our real performance. As the weekend progresses, we will obtain a much clearer indication of where we stand, but there is still a lot to be done tomorrow morning."

PanisOlivier Panis (Car 17, Chassis TF104/09B)
First Session Classification: 6th, 20 laps completed Lap Time: 1m16.484s (+0.728s)

Second Session Classification: 19th, 23 laps completed Lap Time: 1m17.419s (+2.418s)


"We had two difficult practice sessions today because it was the first time the new TF104B car has run in its full configuration. We have had to use today as more of a test session to work on the set-up and to try all the new parts. It is hard to condense everything we have to do into just two hours. Having said that, we have acquired a lot of data, which we have to analyse overnight and work hard for a better day tomorrow."

ZontaRicardo Zonta (Car 38, Chassis TF104/06)
First Session Classification: 4th, 36 laps completed Lap Time: 1m16.340s (+0.584s)

Second Session Classification: 10th, 38 laps completed Lap Time: 1m16.200s (+1.199s)


"It was quite a good day with a lot of valuable laps completed. We found a good balance on the car almost immediately and then we did a series of long runs to evaluate the two different tyre compounds. In the end, we found some encouraging results for the race. Although, I was driving the standard TF104 today, the data we have obtained will still be useful for the TF104Bs because the overall behaviour of the tyres is the same. With the additional downforce on the new car, the performance of old tyres will be more consistent, and the time benefit on new Michelins should be greater."

Mike GascoyneMike Gascoyne - Technical Director Chassis:
"With both race drivers, we opted to do our tyre comparison in the first session, which meant that we only ran on old tyres in the second practice. We should not read too much into the time differences between the TF104 and TF104B. We used the second hour effectively as a test session to improve the balance of the car and to improve the new aero package. We made good progress. Ricardo, meanwhile, carried out his normal programme of tyre evaluation in both sessions so we have concentrated on ensuring we are in as good shape as possible for tomorrow. That will be when we really see how competitive the updated car is."

 
Driver Classification Chassis Best Lap Gap Laps

Free Practice Session 1
Ricardo Zonta 4th TF104/06 1m16.340s +0.584s 36
Olivier Panis 6th TF104/09B 1m16.484s +0.728s 20
Cristiano da Matta 12th TF104/10B 1m17.111s +1.355s 21

Free Practice Session 2
Ricardo Zonta 10th TF104/06 1m16.200s +1.199s 38
Cristiano da Matta 18th TF104/10B 1m17.300s +2.299s 26
Olivier Panis 19th TF104/09B 1m17.419s +2.418s 23
 

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