Brazil: What the Team have to say...


By Toyota F1 Media
October 25 2004

TotallyTototaF1.com bring you a review of the race at Interlagos, and the 2004 season from the team. Also a look-ahead to what we should be expecting and achieving next season.

Grand Prix of Brazil - Race Round-Up
Sunday 24 October 2004
 
Jarno Trulli (Car 16, Chassis TF104/10B)
Session Classification: 12th, +1 lap (from race winner)
Grid: 9th
"It was a difficult race this afternoon. I got a good start and was up to sixth, but I struggled every time the track was a bit damp. I believe this was due to a general lack of experience I have with the TF104B. As the track got drier and quicker, I was getting more and more competitive. I tried to do my best, but unfortunately we were again out of the points. However, it has been a positive weekend because I could see that the car was better compared to Suzuka. It is just a shame we couldn't end the season in the points. Finally, I would like to say thank you to the team for giving me such a warm welcome over these last two races and for helping me settle in so easily. 2004 was my best season in Formula 1, but I am looking forward to an even better 2005 with Toyota, who I have discovered to be a fantastic team with great potential."
 
Ricardo Zonta (Car 17, Chassis TF104/09B)
Session Classification: 13th, +1 lap (from race winner)
Grid: 14th
"I think it was a quite an exciting race because of the ever-changing wet-dry conditions. In the damp, at the start of the race, the speed of the car was quite good and I was able to overtake some cars, which was fun. Towards the end, I had some balance problems and I found it quite difficult to drive the car. It was great to race in Brazil in front of my home crowd and I think we did a good job this weekend, especially as I have also been unwell. I am pleased with the team's efforts and particularly with the new crew that I was working with this weekend. I would like to say thanks to the team for an enjoyable season."
 
Tsutomu Tomita – Team Principal
"I think that race typifies the season that everyone at Panasonic Toyota Racing has had this year, very frustrating and a missed opportunity to get the points that we needed. In the latter stages of the race, when the track was dry, the car was pretty good and the drivers were able to push hard, especially Jarno who was running as quick as the leaders. In the mixed conditions, though, the car was just too difficult to drive, which meant that we lost too many places. After a promising performance over the weekend, we really needed a totally dry race today. Over the season, there has been a great effort from the race team and not forgetting all the employees in Cologne, who have remained committed and motivated. I wish to thank every single person in the team and also the Toyota family and fans."
 
Mike Gascoyne – Technical Director Chassis
"Special thanks must go to all team members for their excellent performance all season. It is much harder in the difficult times when the expected results don't come, but every one has done a tremendous job. We must now look forward to next year, when I am sure we can take the step forward that everyone at Toyota wants and has worked hard for."
 
T-car: TF104/11B (set-up for Jarno Trulli)
 
Results overview
Driver
 Classification
 Chassis
 Best Lap
 Gap
 Laps

Free Practice Session 1
Ryan Briscoe 2nd TF104/11B 1m12.614s +0.067s 25
Jarno Trulli 7th TF104/10B 1m13.512s +0.685s 15
Ricardo Zonta 15th TF104/09B 1m14.207s +1.660s 14

Free Practice Session 2
Ryan Briscoe 9th TF104/11B 1m12.209s +1.043s 34
Ricardo Zonta 14th TF104/09B 1m12.347s +1.181s 30
Jarno Trulli 16th TF104/10B 1m12.545s +1.379s 36

Free Practice Session 3
Jarno Trulli 11th TF104/10B 1m12.263s +0.797s 5
Ricardo Zonta 15th TF104/09B 1m13.025s +1.559s 10

Free Practice Session 4
Ricardo Zonta 14th TF104/09B 1m11.688s +1.459s 16
Jarno Trulli 15th TF104/10B 1m11.711s +1.482s 15

Qualifying 1
Jarno Trulli 10th TF104/10B 1m10.478s +0.656s 3
Ricardo Zonta 15th TF104/09B 1m11.315s +1.493s 3

Qualifying 2
Jarno Trulli 10th TF104/10B 1m11.483s +0.837s 3
Ricardo Zonta 15th TF104/09B 1m11.974s +1.328s 3

Race
Jarno Trulli 12th TF104/10B - +1 lap 70
Olivier Panis 13th TF104/09B - +1 lap 70
Discuss the race and 2004 season, and even the 2005 season on the MessageBoard.

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