Text - Panasonic Toyota Racing: Barcelona Test - Day 3

Panasonic Toyota Racing has had a difficult final day of this week's Barcelona test at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain. Olivier Panis completed only limited running in the TF102B interim car after a session heavily affected by rain. His 27 laps were used to work on amongst other things a wet tyre test. Cristiano da Matta's day ended early when the extremely wet track conditions in the late morning and a technical problem, which still has to be determined, caused the TF103 to aquaplane into a wall, resulting in some damage to the car.

Olivier Panis - Car No. 20
Chassis: TF102B
Best lap time: 1m31.17s, 27 laps completed
Working on: Small wet tyre test, traction control and pit stop training

"It has been interesting to drive the TF102B again because it confirmed to me that the new car is a really big step forward in terms of performance. It has not been ideal this week because of the weather, but we have found out some interesting things and itÕs been quite productive today. We had to stop the session slightly early because of a possible transmission problem, which has to be investigated."

Cristiano da Matta - Car No. 21
Chassis: TF103/01
Best lap time: No time set, one installation lap only

"We have had a lot of rain here in Barcelona and the track was extremely wet this morning, so the session was delayed for a long time. We went out for an installation lap and I felt something wrong with the car. I was trying to get the TF103 under control but it wasnÕt possible with the wet track and I hit the wall. I am fine, just frustrated because I was really hoping to get some good running today."

Weather: Persistent and occasionally torrential rain until lunchtime. Some light rain in afternoon. Air temperature 06-08¡C.

Track: Extremely wet in the morning and mostly damp-wet in the afternoon. Track temperature 06-09¡C.

Preview
Looking ahead, the team now moves to southern Spain and to Italy for testing at the Circuit de Jerez and Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola next week.

Next Tests:
25-26 February 2003, Circuito de Jerez, Spain
25-27 February 2003, Autodromo Enzo & Dino Ferrari, Imola, San Marino

Next Race:
7-9 March 2003, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne