MAY THE DOWNFORCE BE WITH YOU

Panasonic Toyota Racing today completed its second day of testing ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix with Ralf Schumacher at the wheel for another productive stint at Paul Ricard. Today may only be the second of four days testing at the French track but it marked the last run of the week on the Monaco-specification circuit. The second half of the test will be held on a different circuit configuration and the emphasis will switch to Canadian Grand Prix preparation. Today, however, Ralf continued to focus on Monaco, the slowest track on the Formula 1 calendar, where cars run in high downforce specification. The programme therefore centred around aerodynamics as well as the different electronic maps that will be used on the streets of the Principality. Lap times were not the priority and Ralf again enjoyed a positive day with no reliability concerns. Franck Montagny will take over for the final two days at Paul Ricard on Thursday and Friday.

Ralf Schumacher - Chassis TF107/03
Best Lap Time: 1min 06.598s
Position: 9th
Total laps: 111
Total distance: 398.823kms

"Monaco is a very different kind of track to the four circuits we have been to so far this year. Today I finished my aerodynamic and tyre programmes and also worked on the different traction control maps that are used where there is a premium on acceleration out of slow corners. We have got through a lot of work over the past couple of days, which is important when the competition is so tight."

Gerd Pfeiffer - Test Team Manager

"Ralf has had a good test and we did all that we needed to do for Monaco. It is the first time that we have run the extra wings and flaps that you have in high downforce trim and there was also a lot of electronic work to concentrate on. We had good reliability again and the emphasis today was not on setting quick times but on doing a comprehensive programme. I think in general we can be happy but the proof is always the result at the end of the race."