Panis fifth for Toyota F1 in USA GP

TF104
By Toyota F1 Media
June 23 2004

Toyota F1 driver Olivier Panis would finish fifth in the United States Grand Prix. Team-mate Da Matta would retire. For Panis this result was a great way for him to celebrate his 150th Grand Prix. For Cristiano he would be involved in a first corner accident when he was hit by Christain Klein.

	United States GP Race Round-Up
	Sunday 20 June 2004 Olivier Panis (Car 17, Chassis TF104/03) Session Classification: 5th, +37.5s (from race winner) Grid: 8th "I think it is a highly positive weekend for all the team and we can celebrate a great result. It was my 150th grand prix and I got a fantastic present of four points. I am very happy. The team gave me a consistent and competitive car and I drove a good race. We profited from all the hard work we have put in this weekend. I would also like to extend my thanks to Michelin for providing us with fabulous tyres here at Indianapolis. I pushed so hard towards the end and it was the perfect end to a strong weekend to finish just 37 seconds from the race winner. We need to keep going on in this direction because the top six is where we should be finishing every race." Cristiano da Matta (Car 16, Chassis TF104/04, T-car TF104/07) Session Classification: DNF, +56 laps (from race winner) Grid: 11th "I got a good start but coming into turn two I was hit from behind by another car. After that, I had to come into the pits, but the accident also resulted in me not being able to select first gear. In the end, I got stuck in gear and I had to stop. The problem with the gears was only caused by the collision and that ended my race far too early. We showed a good level of competitiveness this weekend - the positive thing we can take from this race." Tsutomu Tomita - Team Principal "That was a fantastic race for Olivier and a very competitive showing from the team, who worked well in the race to adopt the strategy during the safety car periods. We knew we had a good package here and Olivier drove faultlessly throughout the race. Unfortunately, Cristiano was hit from behind at the start and then lost first gear on his pitstop. We tried to repair the damage but he progressively lost gears and had to stop. It was very disappointing because I am sure he would have been as competitive. Overall, it was highly pleasing to score a points finish but most of all it was encouraging to see our level of competitiveness over the entire weekend. I am overjoyed."

Driver	Classification	Chassis	Best Lap	Gap	Laps
Free Practice Session 1
Ricardo Zonta	5th	TF104/07	1m12.366s	+1.012s	25
Olivier Panis	9th	TF104/03	1m12.631s	+1.277s	16
Cristiano da Matta	16th	TF104/04	1m13.555s	+2.201s	18
Free Practice Session 2
Cristiano da Matta	7th	TF104/04	1m11.893s	+1.528s	35
Olivier Panis	8th	TF104/03	1m11.994s	+1.629s	30
Ricardo Zonta	9th	TF104/07	1m12.019s	+1.654s	42
Free Practice Session 3
Cristiano da Matta	8th	TF104/04	1m12.001s	+1.090s	12
Olivier Panis	14th	TF104/03	1m12.451s	+1.540s	14
Free Practice Session 4
Cristiano da Matta	7th	TF104/04	1m10.802s	+0.749s	19
Olivier Panis	11th	TF104/03	1m11.242s	+1.186s	20
Qualifying 1
Olivier Panis	3rd	TF104/03	1m09.923s	+0.469s	3
Cristiano da Matta	7th	TF104/04	1m10.108s	+0.654s	3
Qualifying 2
Olivier Panis	8th	TF104/03	1m11.167s	+0.944s	3
Cristiano da Matta	11th	TF104/04	1m11.691s	+1.468s	3
Race
Olivier Panis	5th	TF104/03		+37.5s	73
Cristiano da Matta	DNF	TF104/04		+56 laps	17