09/07/2004

Grand Prix of Great Britain - Free Practice Round-Up

Olivier Panis (Car 17 Chassis TF104/03)
First Session Classification: 19th 15 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m22.520s (+3.382s)
Second Session Classification: 14th 25 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m20.489s (+1.834s)
"We had a normal Friday practice comparing the two compounds of Michelin tyres and working on the set-up of the car. I think we need to work really hard to improve the car for tomorrow because there is definitely a lot more we can get out of it at this track. We will look deep into the data during this afternoon and hopefully make some progress in tomorrow morning's sessions."

Cristiano da Matta (Car 16 Chassis TF104/04)
First Session Classification: 18th 16 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m22.466s (+3.328s)
Second Session Classification: 15th 19 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m20.829 (+2.174)
"A very frustrating first day at Silverstone today with the car behaving similarly to how it did at the test in June. It is bumping a lot and there is a big difference in the balance from high speed to low speed. The only positive thing I can draw from today's session is the fantastic job my crew did to change the gearbox in just 20 minutes after I had a wheel bearing problem at the start of the second session. Their quick reactions and efficient work meant that the problem did not negate our programme that much."

Ricardo Zonta (Car 38 Chassis TF104/07)
First Session Classification: 11th 27 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m21.095s (+1.957s)
Second Session Classification: 13th 35 laps completed
Lap Time: 1m20.095s (+1.440s)
"Today's practice sessions were both quite productive even though there is still plenty of room for improvement. The tyre choice appears to be rather complicated at this track. On each of the two types of tyre we evaluated we gain time in one way but we lose out in the other so we have to find the best compromise before making our final selection. I think we did a good job in the end. Silverstone is a very nice track from a driving perspective but it is extremely bumpy which disrupts the car a lot."

Mike Gascoyne - Technical Director Chassis
"It has been quite a difficult opening day with low track temperatures and low grip. Unlike other teams we have only had one three-day test here at Silverstone this year so it is perhaps harder for us to find the best set-up on our cars. It is clear that we have a lot of work still to do. The tyre choice is also quite difficult as we have experienced different balances on the two compounds we have at our disposal. Overall though we completed many laps and acquired a lot of data but we certainly need to work hard to improve the cars for tomorrow."