Toyota puts new brakes to the test

Toyota hopes to add to the two top six finishes it has already taken this season at San Marino on Sunday and has introduced some aerodynamic modifications and new braking materials to ensure its TF102 is up to the job

The wind tunnel at the team's Cologne factory is now up and running, and a steady stream of improvements are expected over the next few weeks and months. Allan McNish put the latest parts through their paces last week and was happy with the result.

"We had a good test at Valencia," he said. "We tried some new things on the car and we made good progress. I tested at Imola with the team last year and we gathered a lot of information, which will be useful because there isn't any general testing at the track. It was also helpful for me because Imola is quite something in a grand prix car, so I'm pleased to have had a run here already."

Mika Salo has taken two sixth places for the team in just three races and he's optimistic that Toyota's dream start to the season can continue.

"After Brazil we have reason to be confident and I hope we can get the same sort of result this weekend," he said. "I enjoy racing at Imola and I finished in the top six there in 2000. Allan had a good test in Imola with the team last year, so we will not arrive completely blind. I'm looking forward to it."