Toyota Silverstone/Monza test notes 2003-06-03

After putting in a solid performance at last weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, Panasonic Toyota Racing driver Cristiano da Matta was back in charge of the TF103 at Silverstone today for the opening day of this week's three-day test at the 5.141-km British GP circuit. Third driver Ricardo Zonta, meanwhile, took to the high speed 5.793-km Monza track in Italy to begin a concurrent three-day test for the team.

Cristiano da Matta: (Silverstone)

"We managed a lot of laps today and completed our entire task list, working on some aero tests and just on me reacquainting myself with the track. I haven't driven at Silverstone since F3000 in 1996 and it is good to be back. I like the track a lot and I have missed driving here. The weather wasn't great today with some rain, but that's what Silverstone is all about isn't it?"

Ricardo Zonta: (Monza)

"It was a good test day today. The track was wet to begin with after some overnight rain, but once it dried out it was quite good. We completed a reasonable number of laps, doing some aerodynamic and brake tests. We ran with maximum downforce today in order to replicate the sort of levels we will run in Canada next week, certainly not the sort of levels you require for the high-speed Monza track, therefore our lap times are not representative this week."

"We didn't really do any work on mechanical set-up or tyres, however Olivier will begin a tyre evaluation programme tomorrow. In the meantime, I am going to Silverstone, where I will take over from Cristiano on Thursday."

Da Matta will complete his second and final day of testing at Silverstone tomorrow before jetting off to Brazil for the weekend, ahead of next week's Canadian Grand Prix. Zonta travels from Monza to Silverstone, where he will wrap up the test on Thursday. Taking over from him at the Italian track tomorrow will be race driver Olivier Panis, who will complete the three-day session.

Cristiano da Matta
Chassis: TF103/03
Best lap time: 1m24.22s, 74 laps completed
Working on: Re-acquainting himself with the circuit, general set-up work, aero tests.

Ricardo Zonta
Chassis: TF103/06
Best lap time: 1m24.40s, 57 laps completed
Working on: Aerodynamic testing, maximum downforce running for Canada GP preparations, brakes

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