First win for the Toyota Team?
Panasonic Toyota Racing scored their 2nd pole position of the season. There is a lot of pressure on the team to perform in front of their home crowd, especially now there's a TF105 on pole position. Not only pressure to perform, but also to keep main rival Honda, who's on home soil as well, behind them.
Toyota's breakthrough season is confirmed by Ralf Schumacher as he put the new Toyota on pole in front of their home fans. The new TF105B has made a dream start after the hours of testing and evaluating these last couple of months. Toyota will have to perform on Sunday to satisfy their fans and the people who sign their cheques. Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director Chassis wants to live up to the expectations and of course was really happy with the performance of Ralf Schumacher today.
Mike Gascoyne "That was a great result and obviously a great effort both by Ralf and the whole team. It's very special to take pole position here in Suzuka in front of all our fans and everyone from TMC which gives us so much support. It's also fantastic for everyone back in Cologne who worked so hard to bring the B spec car here. There was an element of risk in that, but to have it on pole position at our home grand prix on its first outing is a tremendous achievement. We obviously got lucky to some extent with the weather, but our forecast was predicting a shower at 13.42 and that is exactly what happened. It's 50 percent of a great result for us because Jarno unfortunately made a rare mistake and spun off. He'd been quick in sector one and I'm sure he could have put it close to the front row as well. So it will be difficult for him in the race but we have a competitive car so we will work hard to get him into the points. As for Ralf, with so many of the quicker cars so far back, we have to look to capitalise and win the race tomorrow."
The Toyota - Honda rivalry continues, as Jenson Button put his BAR Honda just next to Ralf's Toyota. For the Japanese fans it will be a thrilling race tomorrow, watching the Japanese teams racing for the vicotry at Suzuka.
