02/08/2003

German Grand Prix - Second Qualifying Session

For the third time this season Panasonic Toyota Racing has qualified both of its TF103s in the top 10. Olivier Panis will line up in seventh position for tomorrow's German Grand Prix two places ahead of his Brazilian team-mate Cristiano da Matta who posted the ninth quickest time. This result equals the team's best joint qualifying effort that from June's Canadian Grand Prix.

Olivier Panis - Car Number 20
Session Classification: 7th
Lap Time: 1m16.034s +0.867s from pole
Starting position: 11th
Chassis: TF103/08
"It is good to see that we are continuing our good form with another top ten qualifying position. I am very pleased with my lap and everyone has worked well this weekend. I think we have developed a good stability within the team which is being reflected in these positive results. This morning we worked very well to develop the car and to find a good balance. Cristiano also did a good job and with both of us in the top ten things are looking good for the race tomorrow."

Cristiano da Matta - Car Number 21
Session Classification: 9th
Lap Time: 1m16.550s +1.383s from pole
Starting position: 6th
Chassis: TF103/04
"Despite claiming another top ten grid position I am really not happy with my qualifying lap today. The car definitely had a much better lap time in it but I lost around half-a-second at the last corner. I was simply pushing a bit too hard and made a mistake. The car felt good and we improved the handling through free practice and again in the warm-up session so it is frustrating not to be a bit higher up on the grid tomorrow although we should be in reasonable shape in the race."

Keizo Takahashi - General Manager Car Design and Development
"Another very encouraging qualifying session for Panasonic Toyota Racing and I am overjoyed that we managed to get two cars in the top ten for the third time this season. Of course our new engine specification played a part in our qualifying results but I would like to extend our thanks to Michelin for their competitive tyres and also to Olivier and Cristiano for a job well done. Tomorrow we expect a very hot day but we are fully prepared to push hard in the race."

Weather: Hot and sunny.
Temperatures: Track 50°C Air 33°C.
T-car: TF103/07 set up for Olivier Panis. Spare Chassis: TF103/02
Weekend at a Glance
Friday practice (dry track)
Da Matta P6 1m16.109s 28 laps
Panis P10 1m16.602s 21 laps

Friday Qualifying (dry track)
Panis P10 1m15.471s (+1.044s)
Da Matta P15 1m16.450s (+2.023s)

Saturday practice 1 (dry track)
Panis P8 1m16.560s 21 laps
Da Matta P16 1m17.662s 17 laps

Saturday practice 2 (dry track)
Panis P11 1m17.169s 11 laps
Da Matta P13 1m17.426s 23 laps

Warm-Up (dry track)
Panis P3 1m15.758s 5 laps
Da Matta P7 1m16.341s 4 laps