14/04/2002

San Marino Grand Prix - Race

Both Panasonic Toyota Racing drivers Mika Salo and Allan McNish retired from today's San Marino Grand Prix. McNish's TF102 lost all drive on the opening lap whilst gear problems caused Salo's first retirement of the season on lap 26.

Mika Salo Car No 24

Position:	DNF 26/62 laps completed
Chassis:	TF102/04

"My traction control went early on in the race and then I lost fourth gear just after my pit stop. It is my first retirement this year but it has been a difficult weekend with handling problems. The Michelin tyres have been good but our car has not been making the most of them. We now test in Mugello where we have lots to do."

Allan McNish Car No 25

Position:	DNF 0/62 laps completed
Chassis:	TF102/05

"Just after the start of the race I lost drive and I could not go forward at all. I had no choice but to pull over to the side and fortunately no-one else was caught up in it. This is the first time we have had such a problem because our reliability has been very good up to now. "

Ove Andersson - President
"Obviously we are disappointed but we have to face reality. We have been quite lucky up to now and today's retirements are part of our learning curve. We now have to investigate the cause of the problems and then look forward to our next test in Mugello and the next race in Barcelona."

Weather: Dry hot and humid

Weather:	Dry and sunny but some cloud.
Temperatures:	Air - Min 18°C Max 20°C Track Min 20°C Max 31°C Average humidity 50%
T-car:	Chassis TF102/02 set up for Mika Salo

Review
Mika and Allan were 20th and 22nd in Friday practice after rain affected running. Qualifying saw improved weather conditions and only three-thousandths of a second separated Mika in 16th and Allan in 17th.

Preview
Panasonic Toyota Racing remains in Italy for a three-day test next week in Mugello. Salo and McNish will test on 16 and 17 April whilst test drivers Ryan Briscoe and Stephane Sarrazin will take over on 18 April.