Panis Targets Top Ten Despite Slow Start

Frenchman Olivier Panis refused to worry despite a disappointing performance in first qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix.

The Toyota driver struggled to find the right set-up for his car and could only set the 14th quickest time of the day. Panis, however, said he was not worried and claimed he is confident of finishing in the top ten in tomorrow's decisive qualifying.

"I am not really satisfied, to be honest," Panis admitted. "We had a very difficult free practice with set-up problems and we didn't make really any changes to the car during the session. We made some adjustments for qualifying and I think the performance this afternoon was acceptable, but we still have a lot to do ahead of qualifying tomorrow.

"I am not too worried though. I think we can still realistically expect a top ten grid position, which will put us in good shape for the race."

Brazilian Cristiano da Matta, driving at the A1-Ring circuit for the first time today, was also unhappy with his car's set-up after setting the 16th quickest time.

"I believe there is still something more I can get from myself on the track, but the main part is going to come from the car," he said. "Since we started this morning, the set-up of the car just hasn't been working. Something with the balance of the car just isn't right. We haven't been able to find any representative improvements, so we have to keep trying."