Cristiano da Matta finishes 11th for Toyota

11th in Malaysia
By Huw Alban (23/03/03)
March 23 2003

The strong turn around of Saturday should have resulted in a strong finish in the Grand Prix today, but the problem that halted Olivier Panis two weeks ago in Melbourne struck again. Crisitiano da Matta had an eventful start, and a strong 11th placed finish.

Oliver Panis benefited well from a second corner clash between Jarno Trulli and Michael Schumacher, running in a strong 5th place behind Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button. The Frenchman made a routine stop on lap 12 with the team doing the business in the pitlane. Olivier rejoined the track just behind the Jordan of Ralph Firman, whom he overtook easily. The TF103 then suddenly pulled over to one side and coasted to a halt at the side of the track.

"I had a really good start in the race and was up into the top five, having a good battle early on with Barrichello," said a very unhappy Olivier to the official Toyota website. "Things were looking really promising for us and the car was very competitive. I came in for my scheduled pit stop and we put in some fuel, but after three corners the fuel pressure suddenly went down and the engine died. The problem was very similar to what we experienced in Melbourne, but at the moment we don't know if it is exactly the same. Right now, I am quite angry and I am disappointed for the team, because everybody has done a very good job this weekend. The car still has a lot left to give and I am not the type of guy to give up, so we will get results soon."

Cristiano da Matta had to start his race from the pit lane, due to a throttle problem on his race car. The TV coverage didn't show much of the Brazilian, apart from a few corners where he got close to the Jordan of Ralph Firman. He didn't appear to have much pace - something he has not been lacking this weekend - and his team statement after the race explains why. Despite his dilemas da Matta nursed the car home, to record his first Grand Prix finish, in a well deserved 11th place.

"It was a very tough race today. On the way to the grid I had a problem with the race car, so I had to jump in the T-car and start from the pitlane. We then had a problem with the fuel pressure running on a lighter fuel load, so I had to run the whole race on a full tank, which made overtaking impossible. It is very frustrating, but as the race started I had to forget about it and just do my best. Obviously, it is disappointing, as I feel we could have finished in the points today, but hopefully we can do just that in my first home F1 race in Brazil in two weeks' time."

Toyota are out on the test track again next week for a two pronged test at Barcelona and Paul Ricard. Guys, please make fuel pressure top of your list of things to work on !