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Toyota endures tough race

Outgoing Toyota drivers Mika Salo and Allan McNish had a difficult run in the United States Grand Prix, finishing 14th and 15th respectively on the team's first visit to the Brickyard

"It has been a difficult weekend, we had several problems that we have not had before," said Toyota F1 President Ove Andersson. "On the other hand it was the first time that we have used the bi-directional telemetry in a positive way."

Mika Salo was the beneficiary of the telemetry work, which allows systems on the car to be influenced from the pit garage while still out on track. It was most famously used by McLaren to fix an engine problem on David Coulthard's Monaco-winning car earlier this year.

"After the first pitstop I had a big misfire for many laps and it wouldn't go away," said the Finn. "The guys back in the pits did a great job to clear that up.

"But I also had hydraulic pressure problems for most of the race and that ruined any chance of making up places. It has been a good learning weekend, but it's disappointing not to finish higher up."

McNish, meanwhile, struggled with a balance problem throughout the race.

"From the very start we experienced big differences in the car's balance from turning left to turning right," he said. "It got progressively worse as the race went on and the car became so difficult to drive. The steering was locked when turning right and it was an achievement to get the car home."

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