12/09/2003

Italian Grand Prix - First Qualifying Session

A flying start to this weekend's Italian Grand Prix resulted in both Panasonic Toyota Racing TF103s in the top ten for first qualifying in Monza today. Cristiano da Matta drove a spectacular lap to take 4th place whilst Olivier Panis rounded off the top ten in 10th spot despite using the T-car for his run after experiencing some set-up problems on his race car in this morning's practice session.

Cristiano da Matta - Car Number 21
Session Classification:4th
Lap Time:1m21.829s +1.173s from pole
Running Order:12th
Chassis:TF103/04
"I am very happy with my qualifying time. Since the first few laps this morning we have been more confident than we were at the test last week. I want to thank the engineers who have all done a good job over the weekend to study the data from last week and to make the car stronger. It makes a difference to have driven the three days last week because I have not had to spend time learning the track this morning and I have been able to get a good feeling with the car. Fourth place is certainly a good way to start the weekend."

Olivier Panis - Car Number 20
Session Classification:10th
Lap Time:1m22.372s +1.716s from pole
Running Order:14th
"It has been a difficult day for me today but I am generally quite happy with tenth place. I wasn't really comfortable with the car in this morning's session and we had a few small mechanical problems so I decided to take the T-car for qualifying. In the end there wasn't much difference but we'll work hard on things tonight to improve the car for tomorrow. On a more positive note I am pleased for Cristiano - he drove very well today."

Luca Marmorini - General Manager Engine Department
"I think 4th and 10th position in today's qualifying session is an encouraging start to the weekend. However there is over a second between us and the frontrunners so we have to keep our feet on the ground. Cristiano did a very commendable job and set the fastest first sector of the session. It was a shame Olivier could not do a similar time but he nevertheless drove a respectable lap and had a very good second sector time. We are at over 70% full throttle at Monza - the most of the season - so it is tough on the engine. Things have run smoothly today so I think we should be optimistic."

Weather:Hot and sunny.
T-car:TF103/08 set up for Olivier Panis. Spare Chassis: TF103/02

Weekend at a Glance
Friday practice (dry track)
Da Matta P6 1m21.881s 24 laps
Panis P12 1m22.584s 20 laps