Toyota Close to Fixing Fuel Problem

Formula One rookie Cristiano da Matta is confident Toyota can fix a recurring fuel pressure problem before his home debut in Brazil next week.

"I am reasonably happy with the work we have done in two days," the 2002 CART champion said after completing testing in Barcelona to resolve a problem that has dogged the team's first two races of the year. "Most of all, we have gathered a lot of information on our fuel pressure system and it seems we have now analysed exactly what the problem is.

"There will be some further work here at the track and at the factory this week of course, but we are very confident to come up with a solution pretty quickly."

Da Matta had to start Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix from the pitlane in the spare car after suffering a faulty throttle system on the formation lap. He then suffered from low fuel pressure during the race. The problem forced him to run on fuller tanks than necessary to maintain the pressure and he finished 11th.

Da Matta said earlier in the week that the problem, similar to one that affected French teammate Olivier Panis in Australia, was believed to be due to the extremely high temperatures of the fuel in Malaysia.