Toyota nets highest finish to date

The Cologne-based outfit has shown a recent upturn in competitiveness and at the British Grand Prix two weeks ago da Matta led assuredly for several laps during the first pit stops. In Hockeheim Toyota recorded its highest finish so far and it was also the first time that both its cars had finished in the points.

"This result is a great achievement," said the team's principal Ove Andersson. "Getting two cars in the top six is the proof that hard work pays good dividends. We have made steady progress in the recent races and have now showed everyone that we have what it takes to get a strong result."

The result was aided by the a car from each of the top three teams being eliminated at the first corner, but tellingly it was Toyota, rather than Jaguar or BAR-Honda, that was there to pick up the points at the race's finish.

"With Olivier [Panis] getting fifth position," said da Matta, "this is the first time that we have finished a race with both cars in points-scoring positions and it is a brilliant result for the all the team's efforts.

"It shows we are making progress, which is the most important thing, and we are getting closer and closer. We have to keep this level of performance up and continue to work hard. Then the results will keep coming naturally."