Toyota hoping to build on French success
Toyota is optimistic of another points finish in this weekend's British Grand Prix at Silverstone after a successful four-day tyre evaluation with French tyre manufacturer Michelin in Barcelona last week
The team, which finished eighth at Magny-Cours with Olivier Panis - his first points finish on home ground for ten years - also introduced a brand new aerodynamic package to the TF103 which will be included on the race cars at Silverstone this weekend. "I go to the British Grand Prix this weekend full of confidence," said Panis. "I think the track should suit our TF103 because it handles better on medium and high-speed tracks, and Silverstone is really fast and challenging.
"Another reason why I am confident for the weekend is that we have some new aero parts on the car, which seemed like a big improvement when we tested them for the first time at Barcelona last week. We set very good and consistent lap times in Spain and I see no reason why the same cannot happen at Silverstone because the layout of the two circuits is quite similar.
"In fact, I will be disappointed if we don't get a good points finish in the British Grand Prix, although that has to be our goal in every race from now on."
Panis's team-mate Cristiano da Matta is looking forward to racing an F1 car on a circuit that he has more than a passing knowledge of, having competed at Silverstone in his British Formula 3 Championship campaign in 1995.
"Silverstone is definitely my favourite track of the season and it is a circuit of which I have a good knowledge," said the Brazilian. "There are many fast sections, especially Copse and Becketts, which are fun to drive. It is a flowing circuit with a variety of types of corner, which makes the place very challenging - you get a real buzz when you set a good lap."
"We tested in Silverstone just a few weeks ago and we were quite competitive, so I am looking forward to putting in a strong showing there. Olivier has told me he is very encouraged by the new aero parts we are using and I like to think that we can both pick-up points this weekend."
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