25/05/2002

Monaco Grand Prix - Qualifying

An exciting qualifying session in Monaco today produced Panasonic Toyota Racing's first double top ten result. Mika Salo and Allan McNish will start the 60th Monaco Grand Prix in 9th and 10th positions respectively.

Mika Salo - Car No. 24

Position:	9th 1m18.234s 12/12 laps completed
Chassis:	TF102/04

"The car was much better balanced today compared to Thursday. The team performance was very good to get both myself and Allan in the top ten. Our car has been reliable so far this season and starting the Monaco Grand Prix from 9th on the grid is very promising."

Allan McNish - Car No. 25

Position:	10th 1m18.292s 12/12 laps completed
Chassis:	TF102/02

"The car felt better in qualifying than it did in practice this morning and I found a good rhythm. I touched the barrier on my first run slightly affecting the car's handling. I want to apologise to Nick Heidfeld for unintentionally holding him up on his last run - it was just an unfortunate Monaco situation."

Gustav Brunner - Chief Designer
"Two cars in the top ten well what can I say? It was a great driving performance from both men particularly Allan for his first time at this difficult circuit. The team were superb and it is a great result for us."

Weather:	Dry sunny and warm
Temperatures:	Air - Min 22°C Max 24°C Track - Min 33°C Max 39°C Average humidity 58%
T-car:	Both Mika and Allan have a spare car this weekend