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Panasonic Toyota Racing
Spanish Grand Prix - Preview
Round: 5 of 17
Venue: Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona
Distance: 4.655km (66 laps)
Lap record: 1min 21.670 (2008)
History: The Spanish Grand Prix was first run in 1913 as a sports car race but made its Formula 1 World Championship debut in 1951 at the Pedralbes track in Barcelona. Since then the race has visited Jarama, Montjuich Park and Jerez. The Circuit de Catalunya hosts the race for the 19th consecutive time this weekend.
Panasonic Toyota Racing heads to the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona this weekend for the start of the European season. Following the flyaway races which started the season, Toyota is third in the Constructors' Championship having claimed an impressive three podium finishes in four Grands Prix. Jarno Trulli recorded pole position, fastest lap and third place in the Bahrain Grand Prix while Timo Glock maintained his 100% points-scoring record in 2009 with seventh place. That put both Toyota drivers into the top five of the Drivers' Championship. The team has enjoyed podium success in Spain before, with Jarno finishing third in 2005 - one of two podiums he has scored in this race - while last year he was eighth on a day when Timo was 11th. Both drivers have extensive recent experience of the Circuit de Catalunya, having completed over 500 laps between them during four days of testing in March.
Jarno Trulli (Car 9): "It's good to be coming back to Europe again after the long-haul races as this makes things a little easier for everyone. The opening races of the season have shown the potential we have in our new car; to get pole position and the fastest race lap in Bahrain was a good achievement which gives us great encouragement. We'll see how it works out in Barcelona but we have to be optimistic after our strong performances so far. We tested in Barcelona before the season but I have to admit it's unusual to be preparing for the race having not driven at the track for a couple of months. In the past we have generally tested there just before the race so everything was quite predictable, but it could be different this time. I am enjoying this season because we are consistently fighting at the front so I am really looking forward to the Spanish Grand Prix."
Timo Glock (Car 10): "Barcelona is one of the tracks I know best after all the testing and racing I've done there over the years and I'm feeling optimistic going into the Spanish Grand Prix. I have scored points in all the races so far - only two other drivers have done that - and I certainly expect to continue that run this weekend. But I hope to score a few more than in Bahrain; it was disappointing only to finish seventh after starting from the front row however the potential of the car is clear for everyone to see. That motivates everyone to keep pushing hard because we can see there is the possibility for some great results. We have an upgrade to the car this weekend so hopefully that can bring something extra but we will have to wait and see how the other teams develop as well."
John Howett, President: "We have made a successful start to our season but there is no doubt we want more; we feel we are close to our first victory and this is our clear target for the remainder of the year. We narrowly missed out on winning in Bahrain but by starting from pole position and setting the fastest lap, we showed we are right on the pace and we are working hard to bring it about soon. Thanks to the fantastic job done by the team over the winter, our car has been one of the very fastest so far this season and we have some aerodynamic upgrades in Spain which will bring more performance. We have an aggressive development programme for the whole season so I'm confident we will be in good shape."
Today, Tomorrow, Toyota This year, as part of a global Toyota campaign, the TF109s will feature messages used by local Toyota distributors to thank them for their continuing support of Panasonic Toyota Racing. This weekend, 'Today, Tomorrow, Toyota' is inspired by Toyota in Europe.