Toyota waiting for new car

Panis finished fifth in the US GP on merit with the current TF104, to boost the team's morale after a demoralising start to the season, but Indianapolis particularly suited the TF104's powerful engine and chassis characteristics.

"The US Grand Prix at Indianapolis was easily our best race weekend of the year so far - our pace was such that we could score points without depending on anyone else's bad luck," said da Matta who retired from the US race with accident damage. "But to do the same in Magny-Cours or Silverstone, I think will require a little bit of help.

"Magny-Cours is a high downforce circuit, so that doesn't really suit our car at the moment, but we should be helped by the fact that the tarmac is very smooth."

Panis is less pessimistic but agrees it will be tough in France: "I'm very happy to be going back to Magny-Cours again as it is particularly special for me to race in front of the French fans. The fifth place we achieved in Indianapolis was extremely positive. We simply have to keep going in this direction. Realistically, it may be harder to score so well in Magny-Cours, but last year we were quite competitive there, so we have a chance."

"My approach in France will be no different to anywhere else - I'll be pushing as hard as ever. Silverstone is another circuit that is not too bad for us, and it's quite important to score points in these next two races, so it will set us up well for the arrival of the updated car at Hockenheim."

The team's principal Tsutomu Tomita commented: "It has been quite apparent that all of us here at Panasonic Toyota Racing have demonstrated a greater level of competitiveness at the two stateside races in Montreal and Indianapolis, culminating in our fifth place finish at the last race. This upturn has been much appreciated after the difficult start we have had to the season.

"We are developing a revised car in order to make headway on the leading teams and to be even stronger as the season progresses."