30/08/2002

Belgian Grand Prix - Free Practice Round-Up

Panasonic Toyota Racing has had a promising opening day of free practice for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps round 14 of the Formula 1 World Championship.

The Toyota TF102 is better suited to the fast flowing nature of the historic circuit and after the first day's running Mika Salo is 10th with a best lap of 1m49.260s and Allan McNish is 11th on 1m49.560s.

Salo commented: "The car likes high speed circuits and we can use the engine advantage here finally because for the last few races we haven't been able to. The problems we have are basically in first and second gear corners and luckily there are only two of them here. There are also no kerbs here apart from at the Bus Stop chicane which is another positive point for us."

McNish added: "We knew before we came here that the circuit was faster and more flowing and in the right speed range to suit our car. I think that's plain to see and the layout is more similar to Interlagos or Sepang where we went well. I hope that we can get our best result since the start of the year. We have had a very good first day and so if we can just retain the balance of the car to use the tyres at their best we should be stronger."

As well as its world-renowned fast challenging sections such as Eau Rouge and Blanchimont Spa is also renowned for the unpredictability of the microclimate in the Belgian Ardennes. It can for example be bone dry at the start/finish line but raining heavily at the back of the circuit. There has been no rain yet but the chances of going an entire weekend without any are remote.

At the front of the field the West McLaren Mercedes cars were quickest with Kimi Raikkonen lapping 0.16s quicker than David Coulthard to set a session best of 1m47.196s. The Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro cars were next Michael Schumacher ahead of Rubens Barrichello while Ralf Schumacher and Jenson Button completed the top six for BMW Williams F1 and Mild Seven Renault respectively.

Toyota hosted a media dinner in Spa on Thursday night where team president Ove Andersson thanked Salo and McNish for their work with the team and stressed that the decision not to extend their contracts was no reflection on their ability. Olivier Panis will move to Panasonic Toyota Racing in 2003 and his team mate will be announced in due course. "The decision was very hard to make and reflects a need for fresh ideas " Mr Andersson said.