12/10/2003

Japanese Grand Prix - Race Report

Cristiano Da Matta drove a strong race to finish seventh in today's Japanese Grand Prix the final round of the 2003 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. The 30-year old Brazilian therefore scored his fourth haul of points this season a good basis from which to move forward next year when he will have a season of F1 experience behind him.

The Panasonic Toyota Racing cars started from the second row of the grid at their home race but adopted a three-stop strategy. In a very tight midfield battle they were beaten by some of the cars that adopted two-stop tactics. These included the West McLaren Mercedes of championship challenger Kimi Raikkonen which was to be somewhat expected and the BAR-Hondas of Jenson Button and Takuma Sato who replaced Jacques Villeneuve at this race.

Da Matta said: "That was a very busy afternoon! We tried to make the best of our good grid positions but the traffic didn't quite fall for us. Still it is satisfying to come to a technical track like Suzuka for the first time and go home with points even though I think we deserved more than two. The last part of the race was pretty hectic to say the least. I was aware that the two Schumacher brothers were behind me and obviously about what was at stake for Michael but I was racing. I was not about to give up my hard-earned points without a fight!"

Panis added: "That was pretty tough but we did the job we needed to do and Cristiano scored points. We decided to do three stops because we had a bit of tyre degradation here. Sometimes we know we have this problem and we will learn from it for next year. I had a little bit of a bad time with my third set of tyres but we should stay positive. We know what we need to do and the team is heading in the right direction. Next year will be bigger better and I am sure more fruitful in terms of results."

Michael Schumacher survived an early brush with Sato and then his lock-up behind Cristiano to score the single point he needed to clinch a record sixth world title by two points from Kimi Raikkonen. Team mate Rubens Barrichello won the race and clinched Ferrari's fifth successive constructors title in the process. The McLarens of Raikkonen and David Coulthard finished in second and third positions. The Lucky Strike BAR Hondas of Jenson Button and Sato were fourth and sixth split by Jarno Trulli's Mild Seven Renault.

Team Principal Ove Andersson said: "To take two points in our home grand prix is a very nice feeling and we can return to Cologne with our heads held high. We finish the season in eighth position in the constructors' championship which is where we probably should be after only our second season in Formula 1. I think we have to be pleased with the progress we have made this year even if you are never satisfied. The aim for next year has to be to close the gap to the front-running teams. You do not win overnight in this business and it is getting more and more competitive. I think it has been a fantastic year for Formula 1. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to every single member of our team for the immense dedication and hard work during the season. 2004 preparations start tomorrow!"

Team manager Ange Pasquali added: "We have learned a lot this season and all the time our experience grows. It has been great to work with a driver as motivated as Olivier is and to be able to fish in his pool of experience. Cristiano too coming from a different series has been a breath of fresh air. They have worked superbly together for the team together with Ricardo Zonta and the whole team and I think we can be very positive about the future."