Ove Andersson Q&A
Toyota has been one of the biggest disappointments of the season so far, especially after the team ended the 2003 season by qualifying on the second row for both of the last two races. Olivier Panis and Cristiano da Matta have both finished all three races, but despite respectable qualifying performances in Malaysia and Bahrain, they have never looked like serious challengers for points, their cause not helped by a high finishing record throughout the field. All concerned say that the arrival of Mike Gascoyne as technical director has had a positive effect, but it seems that the team will take a step back to take two steps forward over the longer term. Whether Ralf Schumacher is the man to make the difference remains to be seen. Adam Cooper spoke to former team principal Ove Andersson, who officially now has an advisory role
"Well, I think it's very obvious that the speed isn't there, and that's what we have to work on. That's basically why we have Mike [Gascoyne], to help us out of it."
"I think in terms of management in the technical area, it's changing very positively. And I think the guys really appreciate that there is someone who says, 'Boys, this is how we do it.'"
"You have to realise that this is nothing you do overnight. I think realistically his input will probably be seen clearly - although hopefully before - on next year's car. But we can expect too much before that."
"It's clear. We have to be honest, and of course it's very disappointing. But I think that's life. You have to sleep in the bed you make!"
"I think we use the engine quite a lot, and we do a lot of laps during the free practice and so on. We're among the people who do the most laps. Normally the engine is good, it's reliable, and I think it's quite powerful. From that point of view, I wouldn't say it's an issue."
"Yes, but you see that from everybody. The climate in Bahrain [on race day] was quite unexpected. We had hoped that maybe our reliability would help us to a point or too, but it didn't."
"The circuit I can't say too much about. The drivers liked it, and the facilities are absolutely the top at the moment. We'll see what happens in China, but that will probably be another step! Otherwise I think it's how F1 should be."
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