Spanish GP: Toyota Friday practice notes

Comments from the Toyota team after Friday practices for the Spanish Grand Prix

Cristiano da Matta:

"Today's session was quite encouraging, particularly in terms of our tyre selection. We completed a lot of laps and the car has been running quite well. The track conditions were pretty changeable during the two practice sessions, but I think we can be reasonably happy with the results we have achieved today, even if I feel there is still more to come."

Olivier Panis:

"I am quite happy with what we have achieved in the two practice sessions. Even though it was only the first day of track activity, we learned many things with regard to set-up and tyre choice. Unfortunately there was some traffic on my quick lap so I could not make use of the TF104's full potential. However, we are in a good shape and have set a solid base for tomorrow."

Ricardo Zonta:

"An encouraging start to the race weekend. In the first session we did a tyre comparison and were able to benefit from things we already tested in Mugello at the end of April. This afternoon we conducted a long run in order to confirm our tyre choice. The team has worked very hard at the test sessions and additionally this track suits the TF104 well, so I am hopeful that we will be in a condition to score our first championship points of the season this weekend."

Mike Gascoyne - Technical Director Chassis:

"It was a very useful day for us today. Ricardo, as usual concentrated on Michelin tyre evaluation in the third car and I think that the choice is interesting. Nevertheless, we have to analyse everything deeply this afternoon. All three drivers were happy with the balance of the car even if conditions were a little tricky with the light rain in the second session. Overall, a reasonably competitive day and some good work from the team, but there is still more time to be found and I am sure we can improve even more tomorrow."

Cristiano da Matta (Car 16, Chassis TF104/04)
First Session Classification: 15th, 12 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m18.362s (+2.704s)
Second Session Classification: 10th, 24 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m16.833s (+0.898s)

Olivier Panis (Car 17, Chassis TF104/03)
First Session Classification: 9th, 6 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m17.489s (+1.831s)
Second Session Classification: 11th, 23 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m16.925s (+0.990s)

Ricardo Zonta (Car 38, Chassis TF104/06)
First Session Classification: 4th, 26 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m16.639s (+0.981s)
Second Session Classification: 3rd, 37 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m16.360s (+0.425s)

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