23/06/2002

European Grand Prix - Race Round-Up

Panasonic Toyota Racing had a disappointing 'home' Grand Prix at Nuerburgring when Allan McNish had to be content with 14th place and Mika Salo retired in the closing stages after a problematic race.

"It was a tough race " McNish said afterwards. "My left arm is dead. The seat was pressing into the muscle and for the last 20 laps it was pretty excruciating to negotiate right-handers. We will have to do something because it was a new seat for this race. Before that the car was pretty good at the start but then I had a problem at the first pit stop with the left front wheel. That set us back a bit.

"There weren't really that many good battles out there. As soon as you get the blue lights you have to let people past which spoiled a couple. I went for a two-stop race but I think generally a one-stop was maybe a better move."

Team-mate Mika Salo may not agree. The Finn did choose a one-stop strategy but experienced a difficult afternoon from the moment the lights changed at the start of the race.

"We agreed to take a chance on a one-stop race but from very early the tyres we chose were suffering from the heavier fuel load. That caused handling problems which is why I went off a couple of times at the first corner. I had to stop earlier than scheduled and for this reason I was forced to stop again for tyres later on. Ultimately I was stopped by what I think is a gearbox-related problem but we will have to investigate."

Panasonic Toyota Racing president Ove Andersson added: "I have mixed feelings about the race. I was pleased that Allan got home after our recent non-finishes but having said that I thought we might have been stronger in the race after our promising qualifying performance. We will have to look ahead to our test at Paul Ricard next week in order to sort out the problems that we experienced today."

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro once more scored maximum points the third time this season that the team has enjoyed a 1-2 success. Rubens Barrichello led at the end of the opening lap and finished the race just 0.29s ahead of reigning world champion Michael Schumacher.

Kimi Raikkonen achieved his third points finish of the season with third place for West McLaren Mercedes ahead of Ralf Schumacher in the BMW Williams F1 Team car. Jenson Button was fifth for Mild Seven Renault with young Brazilian Felipe Massa scoring another point for Sauber Petronas.

As the championship heads for Silverstone home to the British teams of course Michael Schumacher enjoys a 46-point lead over brother Ralf at the head of the championship table. In the constructors championship Ferrari leads Williams-BMW by 45 points. Panasonic Toyota Racing remains in ninth place.