20/06/2004

Grand Prix of USA - Race Report

Olivier Panis turned in a fine drive to fifth place in the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis scoring four points and elevating the team into seventh position in the constructors' championship. Team mate Cristiano da Matta retired from the race after 17 laps having experienced a variety of problems almost from the start.

A delighted Panis who was celebrating his 150th Grand Prix said: "It's great to score some good points and enjoy such a competitive race with the TF104 while knowing that we have the updated car scheduled to arrive at Hockenheim. The car felt very competitive throughout and I have to say a big thank-you to Michelin who provided us with some excellent and very consistent tyres. It is a great boost for everyone in the team and strong motivation to keep up all the hard work."

Da Matta explained his frustration: "Olivier demonstrated our true level of competitiveness here and so it is disappointing that I could not back him up. My trouble started when I was hit from behind in Turn 2 which damaged the rear of my car and also caused the gearbox problems that eventually stopped me."

A dramatic race was won once again by Michael Schumacher who scored a career 78th F1 victory and his eighth from nine starts this year. Rubens Barrichello the pole position man gave the team its sixth 1-2 finish of the season. Lucky Strike BAR Honda driver Takuma Sato became the first Japanese driver to finish on the podium for 14 years while Mild Seven Renault F1 Team driver Jarno Trulli claimed fourth position despite starting from the back of the grid. Behind Olivier Kimi Raikkonen finished sixth for West McLaren Mercedes with team mate David Coulthard seventh. Zsolt Baumgartner became the first Hungarian ever to score a world championship point putting Wilux Minardi Cosworth on the scoreboard in the process.

Assessing the race Panasonic Toyota Racing's technical director chassis Mike Gascoyne said: "A straightforward but first class race by Olivier. He was very consistent and we were pleased with the general level of competitiveness. Cristiano was punted up the rear on the first lap which damaged the diffuser. We brought him into the pits and he lost first gear. We then brought him back in to try to adjust the balance because we knew that without the diffuser he was going to have a lot of problems. We could obviously do that under the Safety Car but then having lost first gear he lost second gear as well and his problems became terminal."

The Panasonic Toyota Racing team now has back-to-back races in France and Great Britain before the race debut of its updated chassis at Hockenheim on July 25.