10/10/2004

Grand Prix of Japan - Qualifying and Race Report

There was mixed emotion for Panasonic Toyota Racing in the Japanese Grand Prix as one era closed for the team and another began. 38-year-old Frenchman Olivier Panis drove his 158th and final Grand Prix at Suzuka taking the chequered flag in 14th place while new signing Jarno Trulli ultimately finished 11th on what had been a highly promising race debut for the team.

Safety concerns over the progress of Typhoon 22 caused Saturday's programme to be completely cancelled which obliged the teams to run both qualifying and the race on Sunday. The typhoon did not actually materialise but the organisers felt that with public safety at risk there was only one decision that could be made.

As the cars took to the track for pre-qualifying at 9am on Sunday morning drivers were faced with a drying but greasy track. Amazingly Trulli driving the TF104B for the very first time on intermediate tyres was quickest of all meaning that he ran last on a constantly drying circuit in the all-important qualifying session.

Trulli went on to post the sixth fastest time in qualifying proper achieving the team's best qualifying performance of the season. Panis also secured a top ten grid slot claiming the tenth quickest time. After completing only two installation laps in the rain-hit practice sessions on Friday Panis's qualifying lap was in fact only his second timed run of the weekend making his efforts even more impressive.

With rain falling from the beginning of the meeting the teams had very little tyre data and the Toyota drivers opted for different rubber; Trulli chose Michelin's prime tyre while Panis gambled on the softer option rubber.

Trulli ran fifth early in the race after a strong start but explained: "Unfortunately there was a big tyre drop-off during the race and it made it a difficult afternoon for me in terms of balance consistency and grip. The positive side is that I was able to gain some early experience of working with the race team which was my main aim this weekend."

Panis meanwhile admitted to taking a gamble on the softer of Michelin's two available dry tyres: "in the end it didn't work very well he admitted, I had a lot of tyre graining and the rear of the car was moving around a lot as well. I would have liked to go out on a higher note but once again I think that everybody in the team did the job and both cars finished."

The final laps were emotional ones for Panis bringing to a close an 11-season F1 racing career that included a victory in the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix. Panasonic Toyota Racing made it a special day by gifting him a Formula 1 car by which to remember his two years with the race team!

"It is a fantastic gesture and I am really moved admitted Olivier. I will now take a holiday and then look forward to my new role with the team next year."

In the season-closing race in Brazil Ricardo Zonta will drive in his home Grand Prix alongside Trulli.

The Japanese Grand Prix was a personal benefit for the Schumacher brothers with Michael winning his 13th race of the season for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro ahead of his brother's BMW Williams. The Lucky Strike BAR Hondas of Jenson Button and Takuma Sato finished third and fourth ahead of Fernando Alonso's Mild Seven Renault and Kimi Raikkonen's West McLaren Mercedes. The final points were claimed by Juan Pablo Montoya in the second BMW Williams and Giancarlo Fisichella's Sauber Petronas.

Technical Director Chassis Mike Gascoyne said of the team's home Grand Prix: "Our car caused the Michelin tyres to degrade a little too much in the race but I think we have to be impressed by Jarno's debut for the team. He has settled in very well. It was good to have home support in what was our 50th Grand Prix and I would also like to thank Olivier for his 100% effort and contribution over the past two seasons. His expertise will be critical next season as we develop our TF105 car."

Team Principal Tsutomu Tomita recognised the huge support in the team's home grand prix saying: "I would like to thank all the Toyota fans and employees who turned up to support us this weekend in our 50th grand prix. Their level of enthusiasm is highly appreciated as we look to great achievements in the future."