German GP: Toyota race notes

Starting from 17th and 19th on the grid, the German Grand Prix was never going to be easy for Panasonic Toyota Racing. Salo finished his first race since Austria in May, driving a solid and trouble-free race to 9th. McNish made up places at the start of the race, but hydraulic problems forced him to retire on lap 24.

Mika Salo

"I didn't get such a good start and the car didn't feel very good in the first stint with a lot of oversteer. We dropped the front wing on my first stop and from then on the car was competitive. When you start from 19th it is not going to be easy to get a result, but simply finishing the race today was a good result for us after the recent reliability problems we have had."

Allan McNish

"When I left the pits after my scheduled stop, the car just did not accelerate correctly. I tried to get the car back to the pits but unfortunately I got stuck at the end of the straight. It seems there was a hydraulics problem. We were beginning to go well and I was looking forward to the rest of the race. It is frustrating, no question about it."

Ove Andersson - President

"I am very relieved we have managed to finish a race after so many retirements. It means a tremendous amount to all of us. I feel sorry for Allan, but ahead of the three-week break, to get a finish is a big boost and we can look towards Hungary with confidence."

Mika Salo - Car No. 24
Position: 9th
66/67 laps completed
Chassis: TF102/07

Allan McNish - Car No. 25
Position: DNF
23/67 laps completed
Chassis: TF102/08

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