Toyota at the back in pre-qualifying

Behind his team
By Huw Alban (29/05/03)
May 29 2003

Memories of Austria are looming large in faces of all Toyota fans this afternoon after a dismal pre-qualifying session that resulted in both cars at the back of the grid. Toyota only finished ahead of Frentzen's Sauber because it's Ferrari engine blew up !

We predicted a top 10 and a back of the grid finish for the team today, but it should have read 'or' not 'and'. At the time of wirtting there is no feedback as to how the Toyota drivers faired against their competitors, but no doubt the team's post Friday comment will be full of 'not enough time' comments and such like. This site hopes that the team will be able to use the Friday public holiday in Monaco to find a bucket-load of time, ready for the final qualifying session on Saturday.

Times from pre-qualifying:

1 M. Schumacher Germany Ferrari 1.16.305
2 R. Barrichello Brazil Ferrari 1.16.636
3 J. Button England BAR 1.16.895
4 J. Trulli Italy Renault 1.16.905
5 D. Coulthard Scotland McLaren 1.17.059
6 R. Schumacher Germany Williams 1.17.063
7 G. Fisichella Italy Jordan 1.17.080
8 J.P. Montoya Colombia Williams 1.17.108
9 M. Webber Australia Jaguar 1.17.637
10 N. Heidfeld Germany Sauber 1.17.912
11 K. Räikkönen Finland McLaren 1.17.926
12 J. Villeneuve Canada BAR 1.18.109
13 R. Firman Great Britain Jordan 1.18.286
14 F. Alonso Spain Renault 1.18.370
15 A. Pizzonia Brazil Jaguar 1.18.967
16 J. Verstappen The Netherlands Minardi 1.19.421
17 J. Wilson England Minardi 1.19.680
18 O. Panis France Toyota 1.19.903
19 C. da Matta Brazil Toyota 1.20.374
20 H. Frentzen Germany Sauber - - -