23/10/2004

Grand Prix of Brazil - Qualifying Report

Jarno Trulli once again achieved a top 10 qualifying performance for Panasonic Toyota Racing when he lapped the Interlagos circuit in 1m11.483s just 0.8s behind Rubens Barrichello's pole position time. It was good enough for ninth place on the grid as the curtain falls on the 2004 Grand Prix season.

Trulli has made a strong impact since joining the team and said: "I really enjoyed that qualifying lap. I think I took the car to the limit which is always satisfying and the TF104B felt really well balanced. I am also confident for tomorrow's race because we have been very consistent over the longer runs in the practice sessions."

Ricardo Zonta was around half a second slower than Trulli lapping in 1m11.974s en route to 14th position on the grid.

"The balance felt pretty good in morning practice the Brazilian explained, but we needed to make a few changes because the car was bottoming out and wearing the floor too much. With the modifications I picked up some understeer and although the engineers tried to dial it out it was still having an effect in qualifying. I wanted to do a better job in front of my home fans and hopefully I will be able to make some progress in the race."

Behind Barrichello's pole position Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro entry Juan Pablo Montoya was second fastest for the BMW Williams F1 Team with a lap in 1m10.850s with Kimi Raikkonen (1m10.892s) third. Fourth quickest was Felipe Massa's Sauber Petronas (1m10.922s) ahead of Jenson Button's Lucky Strike BAR Honda (1m11.092s) and Takuma Sato's sister car (1m11.120s).

Panasonic Toyota Racing's Technical Director Chassis Mike Gascoyne said: "It was a mixed session with Jarno doing another impressive job to put us solidly into the top 10. He has really given the team a lift. Ricardo meanwhile struggled a little with his understeer but we have shown good consistency and so hopefully we can finish the season with a stronger race."