07/05/2004

Grand Prix of Spain - Free Practice Round-Up

Cristiano da Matta (Car 16 Chassis TF104/04)
First Session Classification: 15th 12 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m18.362s (+2.704s)
Second Session Classification: 10th 24 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m16.833s (+0.898s)
"Today's session was quite encouraging particularly in terms of our tyre selection. We completed a lot of laps and the car has been running quite well. The track conditions were pretty changeable during the two practice sessions but I think we can be reasonably happy with the results we have achieved today even if I feel there is still more to come."

Olivier Panis (Car 17 Chassis TF104/03)
First Session Classification: 9th 6 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m17.489s (+1.831s)
Second Session Classification: 11th 23 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m16.925s (+0.990s)
"I am quite happy with what we have achieved in the two practice sessions. Even though it was only the first day of track activity we learned many things with regard to set-up and tyre choice. Unfortunately there was some traffic on my quick lap so I could not make use of the TF104's full potential. However we are in a good shape and have set a solid base for tomorrow."

Ricardo Zonta (Car 38 Chassis TF104/06)
First Session Classification: 4th 26 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m16.639s (+0.981s)
Second Session Classification: 3rd 37 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m16.360s (+0.425s)
"An encouraging start to the race weekend. In the first session we did a tyre comparison and were able to benefit from things we already tested in Mugello at the end of April. This afternoon we conducted a long run in order to confirm our tyre choice. The team has worked very hard at the test sessions and additionally this track suits the TF104 well so I am hopeful that we will be in a condition to score our first championship points of the season this weekend."

Mike Gascoyne - Technical Director Chassis
"It was a very useful day for us today. Ricardo as usual concentrated on Michelin tyre evaluation in the third car and I think that the choice is interesting. Nevertheless we have to analyse everything deeply this afternoon. All three drivers were happy with the balance of the car even if conditions were a little tricky with the light rain in the second session. Overall a reasonably competitive day and some good work from the team but there is still more time to be found and I am sure we can improve even more tomorrow."