01.10.2007

Welcome back Fuji Speedway

Ralf had a great qualifying (pictured) but the race was a hard one

With Fuji Speedway hosting its first Formula 1 race since 1977 the drivers were obviously very keen earlier in the week to get their first taste of the revised lay–out – and the reaction was universally positive.

Panasonic Toyota Racing’s Jarno Trulli said: “It is in a good condition and the facilities are great – everything looks good here.” Ralf agreed, saying he was “impressed” and adding: “As a track it is nice and drivable, with an unusual last section.”

World champion Fernando Alonso praised the circuit for the challenge it presented to drivers. He said: “It’s difficult but we like difficult circuits” while Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen called it “demanding but enjoyable to drive".

At the end of the race, Panasonic Toyota Racing's Chairman and Team Principal Tadashi Yamashina was full of praise for the revamped track. “I would like to say congratulations to Fuji Speedway for hosting this race for the first time in 30 years,” he said. “The facilities here are excellent and the race was well organised. It is a shame we could not get the result we wanted in this race.”

To celebrate the return of the Japanese Grand Prix to Fuji Speedway, Panasonic Toyota Racing hosted a sushi evening, where the whole team and the world’s media were invited to enjoy Japan’s finest food.

A feast of sushi, prepared by Hideyuki Miyazato and his Tokiwa company, greeted the guests and all concerned agreed the food – and the evening – was fantastic.

NEWS FROM OUR RIVALS

Lewis Hamilton took a giant stride towards becoming the first rookie driver in history to win the Formula 1 World Championship when he won his fourth Grand Prix of the year. Hamilton survived a spin after contact with Robert Kubica earlier in the race and the impact of his win was magnified when McLaren–Mercedes team–mate Fernando Alonso crashed out on lap 42.

It means that with two races remaining Hamilton leads by 12 points. To make sure of the crown therefore, he needs to score 9 points in the remaining races even if Alonso takes victory in China and Brazil.

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen recovered from an early tyre change from wet to extreme wet Bridgestone Potenzas to finish third but is now 17 points behind in the championship fight.

RACE REPORT

A dramatic rain-sodden Japanese Grand Prix brought no joy for Panasonic Toyota Racing as Ralf Schumacher did not finish and Jarno Trulli came home in 13th place.

Race day produced teeming conditions so reminiscent of the famous world championship decider between James Hunt and Niki Lauda at Fuji in 1976. It was so bad that there was no option but to start the race behind the safety car, which was out for the first 40 minutes of the race.

Ralf said: “It wasn't a very enjoyable race because of the rain, which made the track really slippery and meant there was pretty much zero visibility when we were running under safety car at the start. It was a real challenge to drive with all the spray but the conditions improved a bit as the race went on.”

Jarno, who was wearing a specially-designed helmet for this race following a Panasonic competition, suffered behind the safety car at the start when he spun on lap 12, losing ground. He explained: “Unfortunately I made a mistake in the hairpin. While I was warming up the tyres I shifted down and this caused a shift down of one gear too much and the car spun. Because of that I lost several positions, then when the safety car came in the race was very wet and visibility was really, really poor.”

Jarno recovered and continued, braving the difficult conditions to take the chequered flag in 14th place, although he was not happy with that. “I think it was a tough afternoon for everyone out there and obviously I am disappointed with this result,” he added.

Unfortunately Ralf did not finish the race. Having already suffered a radio failure midway through the race, the wet weather affected his cars electronics, causing a problem which forced him to pit on lap 53.

His crew worked to fix the trouble and Ralf returned to the track despite losing several laps, although his race came to an end due to a slow puncture, believed to have been caused by debris, two laps from the flag.

Chairman and Team Principal Tadashi Yamashina concluded: “We must push very hard to make improvements. Our car was not competitive in these conditions but now we will do our best for the Chinese Grand Prix.”