Panasonic Toyota Racing started this week's three-day test programme in Jerez with third driver Ricardo Zonta joined by test driver Olivier Panis. The team furthered its Bridgestone tyre test programme and will have race drivers Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher on hand to continue work over the next two days. With the first race in Bahrain just over a month away, the testing is all-important to the team's performance in the first three 'flyaway' races in March and early April.

ON THE REBOUND
Ricardo Zonta worked on suspension set-ups as well as tyre evaluation.

Ricardo Zonta - Chassis TF106/01
Best lap time: 1m20.162s
Total laps: 85
Total distance: 376.380kms

"We did some long runs and it was a successful day in terms of learning more about the car. We tried some different dampers and made good progress, so that was satisfying. The rear of the car felt almost perfect and we have some other interesting developments which the race drivers can try tomorrow."

BACK TO FRONT
Olivier Panis was happy with the latest Bridgestone rear tyre developments.

"This morning I evaluated some tyres that the team tried in Valencia at the last test. They look pretty promising and I am happy about everything. I think Bridgestone has made a good step up but let's wait until we can evaluate the whole package over the remaining tests, when we will also have the new aerodynamic parts."

GRIPPING STUFF
With tyres one of the most crucial performance parameters on the car, it is logical that Toyota's Bridgestone programme constitutes the most significant part of its pre-season test agenda.

Gerd Pfeiffer - Test Team Manager
"It was a good day. We tried different set-ups with the tyres and shock absorbers and collected a lot of information which Jarno and Ralf will be able to use tomorrow. We are still concentrating on tuning the car to the tyres and vice versa, but a good positive point about today was that both engines exceeded their maximum life requirements."