Toyota Silverstone post-test report

Toyota start with launch control at Silverstone

The Toyota Formula 1 team has today completed a two-day test session at the Silverstone circuit in Britain. The team successfully gathered all necessary data from the GP circuit, and additionally started to use launch control and practice pit stops.

"We started our launch control testing and the first results were quite encouraging. However, this obviously has to be refined," said Allan McNish. "Also Mika did some pit stop practice which from the outside looked quite good. It was nice to drive at Silverstone being my home circuit, and I can't wait to come back."

It was planned for Toyota to stay at Silverstone for a third day for reliability tests and long runs on track, but a problem with the power steering system was discovered. This makes it much more difficult to drive round fast corners, and prevents the drivers from pushing to the limit. For this reason Toyota decided to cut short the Silverstone test by one day in order to prepare for Spa.

"There is no point in doing reliability tests if the drivers cannot push the car to the maximum," commented Dago Röhrer, General Manager - F1 Chassis. "We will postpone this until our test next week in Belgium."

The number of laps completed and best lap times are below:

Allan McNish 1m 29.96s 45
Mika Salo 1m 31.80s 41

Toyota's next scheduled test session will take place 14-16 August at the Belgian Grand Prix circuit in Spa.

-Toyota