07/07/2002

British Grand Prix - Race Round-Up

Panasonic Toyota Racing's roller-coaster fortunes continued at Silverstone in the British Grand Prix round 10 of the Formula 1 World Championship.

The weekend started disastrously on Friday when Mika Salo was sidelined with sickness and rain washed out the first day of practice. Salo was diagnosed by team doctor Riccardo Ceccarelli as having a stomach infection but a day of rest on Friday aided Mika's recovery and the Finn bounced back with a vengeance in qualifying when he achieved the team's best qualifying result of the season. His eighth position was one place better than his 9th place start in Monaco. McNish's session was affected by some traffic and he had to be satisfied with 15th.

But Lady Luck turned her back on the team in the race when both cars retired. It was even more unfortunate for Scotsman Allan McNish being his home grand prix.

"Basically the lights went green there was a problem with the clutch and the engine stalled " McNish explained. "It was not the same problem we had in Imola. We were lucky not to be hit. We got pushed back to the garage but we were unable to rectify the problem in time. Needless to say I am extremely disappointed not only for myself and the team but for the fans supporting me here at Silverstone. The car felt pretty good in warm-up this morning and it has been a bit of a frustrating weekend all round with the rain on Friday and having a bit of traffic during qualifying Saturday and now this."

Team mate Salo dropped a place from his fine qualifying effort on the first lap and a transmission problem ultimately eliminated the Finn before quarter distance.

"I didn't get such a good start but things seemed okay. Then the rain started and our lack of downforce really showed and we struggled with little grip " he outlined. "I had a small spin and at the end there was a problem with the transmission something broke in the drive train and I stopped. It was very disappointing after such a good qualifying session yesterday."

The race produced an entertaining battle between Juan Pablo Montoya and Michael Schumacher in the early stages but it was ultimately the Scuderia Marlboro Ferrari drivers who scored a 1-2 finish this time with Schumacher first past the chequered flag. Montoya finished third with Lucky Strike British American Racing Honda drivers Jacques Villeneuve and Olivier Panis fourth and fifth respectively. Nick Heidfeld completed the championship point scorers in his Sauber Petronas.