Toyota continue to shine in sunny Jerez

In good form
By Huw Alban (14/03/03)
March 14 2003

Cristiano da Matta again showed what he was capable of today, on the second of a four day test for Toyota. For the second day running the Brazilian managed to outpace the McLaren driven by test driver Alex Wurz.

The weather stayed bright and fine, enabling the team to complete their technical programme with Cristiano. He completed 74 trouble free laps in the TF103, and concentrated on setup and tyre testing for Michelin.

"The weather was very nice again today and it was mostly a trouble-free session for us," da Matta said to Toyota-F1.com after the session finished today. "We continued going through our extensive set-up programme and focused entirely on preparations for the Malaysian race. I am really happy with the work we have achieved in just two days. It will certainly help me to get acquainted even quicker with the particular layout of the Sepang circuit. I will now spend one day at home before I fly this weekend to Malaysia and I am naturally looking forward to it very much."

Team mate Olivier Panis takes over for the next two days and he has a tough act to follow - can Olivier repeat or beat da Matta's form this week ?

Toyota's next test will be in Barcelona, after the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Times from Jerez on Thursday:

1 C. Da Matta Toyota 1.18.994 74 laps
2 A. Wurz McLaren 1.19.553 57
3 M. Gene Williams 1.19.806 69
4 P. De la Rosa McLaren 1.19.833 56
5 T. Sato BAR 1.21.141 58