da Matta brings it home in 9th for Toyota

By Huw Alban (01/06/03)
June 12 2003

An uneventful Grand Prix for Toyota was rewarded with a two car finish. Cristiano da Matta kept it clean for a 9th placed finish, whilst Oliver Panis's one stop strategy didn't pay with the Frenchman finishing last.

The Monaco Grand Prix 2003 got off to a faltering start, with the race under a safety car after only 1 lap. That period lasted until lap 4, with Crisitiano da Matta in 10th and Olivier Panis down in 17th.

A pit stop from Mark Webber promotes da Matta to 9th on lap 15, just behind the Ferrari of Rubens Barrichello. Cristiano made his first stop on lap 23, feeding back into the race in 12th place improving to 10th by lap 26.

On a one stop strategy, Olivier Panis makes his stop from last place on lap 32. Most of the rest of the grid have already stopped, and apart from Jacques Villeneuve, but the strategy is not working with Panis still in last place.

Lap 50 sees da Matta make his second and last stop, retaking to the track in 11th.

With 12 laps to go, Jacque Villeneuve's Honda engine lets go, promoting da Matta to 9th and Panis 13th - and that's the way Toyota stayed until the end of the race.

With the weekend that Toyota have had, a two car finish with da Matta within reach of a World Championship point, is a good way to make amends. Toyota hit the test track again next week with another three day session at Silverstone.