Improving Toyota targets points

The team has debuted a series of aerodynamic modifications for this race, and Olivier Panis took full advantage to claim the fifth fastest time, putting him in a positive mood heading into the race. Team-mate Cristano da Matta was tenth fastest.

"Two cars in the top ten is really a fantastic achievement," said Brunner. "We have been continually improving as a team over the past few races, getting better in every department. The drivers are also performing exceptionally well, so as a unit we are making big progress.

"Although it is only the opening day of the British Grand Prix, I think our fifth and tenth positions today reflect this improvement, and we hope it continues for the rest of the weekend with points as an obvious target come Sunday afternoon."

Panis said: "I am very pleased with this result. We expected to go quite well here, because the car suits this kind of high-speed track. We had a productive test in Barcelona last week and we have some new aero parts on the car for this race, which look promising. I love this circuit and Cristiano had a good test here at the beginning of June, so I am in a very positive frame of mind for the rest of the weekend."