15/09/2002

Italian Grand Prix - Race

Both Panasonic Toyota Racing drivers were denied a potential points finish in today's Italian Grand Prix Mika Salo bringing his TF102 home in 11th place. The Finn made his only scheduled stop from 4th place but on exiting the pits he crossed the white line and was handed a drive-through penalty. After a stunning start Allan McNish was forced to retire from 6th position on lap thirteen of the 53-lap race with a suspension problem.

Mika Salo - Car No. 24

Position:	11th 52/53 laps completed
Chassis:	TF102/07

"That was pretty much a disastrous race. I struggled with oversteer because my first set of tyres were blistered really badly. My only scheduled pit stop went well but I was concentrating in my rear view mirrors when I left the pits and crossed the white line so I was given a drive-through penalty. That ruined the race for me putting me back in 11th place. Without that penalty I would have scored points today. I'm not happy."

Allan McNish - Car No. 25

Position:	DNF 13/53 laps completed
Chassis:	TF102/08

"It looks like we had a failure in the front suspension. I felt it first near the start of the race and the car became inconsistent particularly under braking at Ascari. Unfortunately it just got worse and we were not able to cure it putting me out of the race. I made a great start and was up to 6th after 10 laps. It is a big disappointment to retire from a points scoring position. We had a real chance today."

Ove Andersson - Team President
"Overall a frustrating end to a strong weekend for us. I firmly believe we could have had two cars in the points today. Allan made a spectacular start and retired from 6th place with a suspension problem. Mika suffered early on from blistered tyres and then crossed the white line exiting the pit lane trying to push for position after his stop. Without the subsequent drive-through penalty he would have finished in the points. I do not know how we will fare at the US GP in two weeks' time. We haven't been there before and have no track data so we'll have to wait and see."

Weather:	Hot and sunny
Temperatures:	Air: 23°C -25°C Track: 32°C -36°C
Average Humidity:	46%
T-car:	TF102/06 set up for Mika Salo.

Review
Friday was a mixed affair with Salo in 6th (1m23.925s) over 38 laps. McNish had a gearbox problem and finished in 18th (1m25.546s). Saturday morning saw McNish up in 9th spot (1m22.967s). After 28 laps Salo was 14th (1m23.442s). A successful qualifying session on Saturday saw Salo in 10th McNish in 13th. Sunday warm-up was overall productive concentrating on race preparations. Mika finished 9th fastest after also testing the T-car. A trouble-free session put McNish in 12th.

Preview
The team moves to Circuit Paul Ricard on Tuesday for a 4-day test ahead of the final two races of the season. Stéphane Sarrazin will test all days. McNish will drive on Tuesday and Wednesday Salo on Thursday. A press release will be issued at the end of the 4-day session.