Toyota Barcelona test notes 2002-11-26

Panasonic Toyota Racing's preparations for the 2003 season began in earnest today as Olivier Panis and Cristiano da Matta made their official debut for the team. On the opening day of this week's three-day Barcelona test, both drivers completed 42 laps of the Spanish track. Panis was behind the wheel of the intermediary TF102B car whilst Da Matta drove this season's TF102 race car.

Olivier Panis

"For this first day I concentrated on just learning the car and working with the team. Throughout the day we worked on improving my seat fitting and generally setting the car up to suit me. Overall it was a good day, constructive and positive. I tried to push a bit more towards the end of the session and I have a good initial feeling for the car. We will now sit down to discuss ways to improve the car and to set tomorrow's programme."

Cristiano da Matta

"We had a few little problems throughout the day, and I only managed to complete half the number of laps we had planned. However, this was my first real contact with the car, the team and this track. The afternoon was spent mainly doing in-and out laps but as the session progressed I was feeling more at home with the car. After the last CART race, testing the TF102 felt a bit different but it is only a matter of time before I settle in fully."

Both Olivier and Cristiano will take to the Circuit de Catalunya again tomorrow for the second day of this week's test.

Olivier Panis
Best lap time: 1m.19.854s
42 laps completed
Chassis: TF102B

Cristiano da Matta
Best lap time: 1m.21.925s
42 laps completed
Chassis: TF102/04

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