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Rd.5 Grand Prix of Spain press release
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Spanish Grand Prix – Sunday Qualifying Round-Up
Panasonic Toyota Racing drivers Ralf Schumacher will line up in 4th and 5th positions on the grid for today’s Spanish Grand Prix after a tough second qualifying session. Both drivers complained of understeer during their laps and while Ralf was able to maintain his position from yesterday, Jarno dropped onto the third row from his provisional pole. Both drivers remain in excellent shape for the race and they are optimistic that they can take more points for the team this afternoon.
8/5/2005

RALF WAY THERE
Ralf Schumacher will line up in 4th place for this afternoon’s Spanish Grand Prix, his best qualifying performance of 2005 so far. The German complained of understeer during this morning’s lap but he is confident ahead of today’s race.

Ralf Schumacher (Car 17, Chassis TF105/04)

Second Qualifying Classification 4th
Lap Time: 1m 17.047s (+0.445s) Laps: 3

Aggregate Qualifying Classification 4th
Agg. Time: 2m 31.917s (+0.496s) Grid: 4th

“Today was a difficult morning because I had a lot of understeer in the car. We’re not sure yet where it was coming from so we’ll have to check the data and look into that. I still think we can aim for a good result in the race, especially coming from the second row. Both of us have had a good weekend so far – probably even better than we expected before the event. Now I’m looking forward to the race which will be long and tough. Overtaking is very hard here so a lot of what happens will depend on what strategy teams have chosen.”


GIVE ME FIVE
Jarno Trulli maintained his record of qualifying in the top five at each of the first five races of the year after this morning’s second qualifying session. Understeer put paid to his chances of retaining the provisional pole position he took yesterday but he is hoping for a good result from this afternoon’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Jarno Trulli (Car 16, Chassis TF105/02)

Second Qualifying Classification 5th
Lap Time: 1m 17.200s (+0.598s) Laps: 3

Aggregate Qualifying Classification 5th
Agg Time: 2m 31.995s (+0.574s) Grid: 5th

“Like Ralf, I had a lot of understeer this morning and lost nearly half a second because of that. So I wasn’t particularly happy with the car and we will have to check the data before this afternoon. But I still think we could have a good race. Here it is important to have a good start and a good strategy and fifth is not a bad place from which to get points and aim for the podium. I’m sure the atmosphere will be great this afternoon with so many Spanish fans here. Now I just have to do the best I can in the race.”


SPANISH FLYING
Panasonic Toyota Racing goes into this afternoon’s Spanish Grand Prix confident of another strong points finish after the team secured two places in the top five of the grid.

Dieter Gass – Chief Race Engineer

“We had a bit too much understeer with both drivers this morning. We don’t yet understand exactly how that happened so we will now have to investigate the data. But I still think were in quite good shape for this afternoon’s Spanish Grand Prix. The race will be very tough on tyres and it is normally all about tyre handling. To start with two cars in the top five is quite good and I think we have the right strategy for this race.”