By Nick Sparkes
May 7 2005

Panasonic Toyota Racing left the last race at Imola behind them, as they set about regaining their podium ways here at Barcelona. Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher entered the weekend in confident mood, as their TF105 would be well hooked up around Spain’s fast flowing circuit.

Practice round up – Friday:

 

The first day saw Ricardo Zonta’s Toyota hit by a hydraulic problem in the first session cutting his running short for the day. He still managed the 7^th fastest time, but only on limited laps. Race drivers Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher also completed limited running in aid of preserving their engines for Sunday’s race. Ralf went 9^th quickest whereas Jarno decided to sit out the session.

 

In the second practice run of the day Zonta’s Toyota was back up and running on track as he set a lightening pace to go 2^nd quickest completing 34 laps. Jarno Trulli had his first run of the day and comfortably went 5^th fastest with Ralf Schumacher making it three Panasonic Toyota Racing cars in the top 10 with 8^th.

 

During both session’s McLaren’s Friday tester Pedro De la Rosa went fastest, well over half a second clear of his rivals.

 

Practice round up – Saturday:

 

The final day of Practice saw another good showing from the Panasonic Toyota Racing team. In the third session of the weekend Ralf Schumacher continued their excellent form with the 3^rd fastest time. Jarno Trulli again decided to spend more time in the pits and only completed a handful of laps to go 14^th fastest, although everyone knew this wasn’t the true pace of the car, Jarno was confident of his race set-up for Sunday’s race.

 

But, in the final few moments of the final Saturday session, Ralf Schumacher went fastest to the delight of the Toyota team. Jarno Trulli also on the ball went 7^th quickest in the second Toyota TF105.

 

So they head into Qualifying One with both cars easily within the top 10, and one fastest in the final Practice session, all is looking well as the race weekend proper gets underway in a few hours time!