2003 Season Review: Toyota F1 Drivers

By Toyota F1 Media
October 23 2003

	2003 Season Review: The Drivers Part Three
	How long does it take to establish a good working relationship with a team? Panis: For me, the relationship I have with the team was good right from the first test. But, of course, I have been in the business a long time and I knew my race engineer Humphrey Corbett from Prost. But in general we had a big welcome from the team and worked closely straight away. That included Cristiano when he arrived. Toyota is still young and I think that taking two new drivers was okay for 2003, but to mount a challenge to the top teams in the upcoming years, I think that stability within the team is important. Da Matta: It takes a little while to establish a good working relationship, but I think that the winter testing helped us develop a good working rapport before the racing season got underway. Zonta: I'd say it takes almost three months racing to develop a smooth working relationship. Testing is one thing but racing is different. With the pressure of the weekend you need to set up the car very quickly and it helps when you are used to working together. What do you think of F1's new rules? Panis: Sometimes we were lucky because the weather conditions helped mix it up in conjunction with the new rules. But I think they still work anyway, really. One lap qualifying really is tough but it's good fun too. It is never easy to produce the perfect lap, but when you have only one chance it adds pressure for sure. And for the spectators the race has mixed grids, cars that are quite close, different winners. It's good for everyone. Da Matta: From a driving point of view, I do not have anything with which to compare the new rules. I think the rules we have had in place this season have worked well and provided a better show for the fans and spectators around the world. What can be done to improve the F1 show. And does it need to be improved? Da Matta: In my opinion, the F1 show looks quite good already and I don't see open wheel racing getting a lot better than we had this year. I think it has been a great championship. At Indy, the penultimate race, you still had three guys separated by a few points and you can't expect better than that. Panis: I agree with Cristiano that we have had a terrific season, but if we have more cars fighting in the top six next year maybe it can be even more fun for everybody, ourselves included. What is a realistic target for 2004? Da Matta: For me the target for 2004 is to close the gap even more to the top teams. If we can reduce that gap, which I think is realistic, it will be a big achievement. Panis: I think the target for us is to be consistent and score points constantly. Basically to take any opportunity we have. I am reluctant to set any specific targets until the new car, the TF104, is ready in January.