New Toyota car gets the thumbs up from Panis

'Positive' ...
By Site Staff
January 14 2003

As has already been well documented, Toyota launched their 2003 contender last week and then commenced a two day test at the Paul Ricard circuit. Despite the unsettled weather, the team were able to get some useful mileage on the new car.

Olivier Panis was charged with putting the new car through it's paces, and described the experience as 'positive'. Cristiano da Matta also tested 2003 components in the interim TF102B chassis, and is looking forward to putting in some track time in the TF103.

"The weather has been mixed all week, and the track was rarely completely dry," Olivier Panis was quoted as saying last Friday. "I did get some laps in the dry today and my initial impressions of the TF103 are positive, however it is still too early to make any real assessment. Next week's test in Barcelona will definitely give us a clearer understanding. It has been a busy week, and I would like to send my thanks to everyone in the Cologne factory, who worked so hard over Christmas and New Year to get the car ready in time for this test."

Cristiano da Matta added, "We struggled a lot with the weather this week with a lot of heavy rain, but it meant I did some runs in both wet and dry conditions. I learned a little bit more about the 102B car, but we did not get as many laps done as I would have liked. The TF103 launch on Wednesday was very good and the new car looks great. I really cannot wait to drive it at Paul Ricard in two weeks' time."

Toyota are due at the next test at Barcelona today (Tuesday) and are expected to participate for the full three days.