Text - Panasonic Toyota Racing: Paul Ricard Test Report 17-19 June 2003

Olivier Panis and Ricardo Zonta have shared testing duties at Circuit Paul Ricard this week. Zonta drove on Tuesday and Wednesday as the Panasonic Toyota Racing team worked closely with tyre supplier Michelin. The Brazilian completed 218 laps over the two days. Panis concluded the session today driving on the 5.8-km track configuration working on long runs and engine testing for September's US Grand Prix, although a gearbox problem prevented the team from running in the morning.

Olivier Panis
Chassis: TF103/03
Laps completed: 84
Working on: Long runs and engine tests for Indianapolis.

"We had some technical troubles in the morning therefore we could not do as much running has we hoped, but after we have solved the problem, the afternoon went pretty well. I am happy that we have been able to complete the full distance with the new engine specification that we will use later in the season."

Ricardo Zonta
Chassis: TF103/03
Laps completed: 218
Working on: Intensive Michelin tyre testing.

"I am quite happy with the two days that I had at Paul Ricard this week. We carried out a very intensive test programme with Michelin, checking and evaluating the characteristics of the tyres with different variables – playing with the pressures, the weight distribution, car set-up, everything. We have seen some interesting results and collected a lot of data for future use. Overall, I am pleased that we managed so much running."

Weather: Sunny and hot all week.
Track: Dry at all times.

Preview
The Panasonic Toyota Racing will travel just down the road for round 9 of this year's F1 championship, which takes place 45-minutes from its Cologne factory at the Nürburgring next week.

Upcoming Events
Next Race:
27-29 June 2003 - European Grand Prix, Nürburgring, Germany

Next Test:
08-11 July 2003 - Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain