By Huw Alban (10/03/03)
March 10 2003

The post race quotes from the Toyota drivers were understandably downbeat after the Australian Grand Prix. It emerged that Olivier Panis suffered a fuel pressure problem, whilst Cristiano da Matta missed his braking point. Olivier Panis started 5th on the grid, but lost out in the first lap to competitors on wet tyres. As soon as his grooved tyres came up to temperature he made ground, claiming back his 5th spot, until an unknown (at the time) problem stranded his TF103 on the side of the circuit.

"The car definitely been quick all weekend and we were doing very well in the race until a problem with the fuel pressure that we have experienced sometimes during the weekend," Panis explained after returning to the Toyota garage.

"We made a good decision to start the race on slick tyres and I am sure we missed out on a podium today, but I want to remain positive. The team adapted to the rule changes well, and personally I got used to them very quickly. We have shown our potential this weekend and I am confident we will get results soon."

Starting from 16th on the grid Cristiano da Matta made steady progress up to 11th, before he was captured by the TV coverage spinning off into a sand trap after overtaking a Jaguar.

"I came on the inside of two cars and the brake markers were on the outside so when I saw the brake marker I thought it was the hundred metre, but it was actually the fifty and when I realised it was way too late," Cristiano said to Toyota-F1.com.

"I started the race on dry tyres and I struggled for the first couple of laps, but I started to gain momentum and I was passing guys ahead of me. The race was good fun while it lasted, but it was nowhere near long enough for me. We have been really competitive this weekend and I know the car is quick, so I am just looking forward to the next race."

Toyota are now on their way to Jerez, with Cristiano doing the honours on Wednesday and Thursday and Panis on Friday and Saturday.