Formula 1 News - April 2005
Toyota

3 April: Bahrain Grand Prix - Race Report - Toyota

Panasonic Toyota Racing has added another trophy to its recently-opened cabinet after Jarno Trulli claimed the team's second podium of the season. Ralf Schumacher made it a double success in Bahrain by securing fourth position and bringing Toyota's tally of points for the Bahrain GP to thirteen.

Bahrain Storming
Jarno Trulli proved that his renowned qualifying expertise are backed up by strong and committed race drives as he powered his way to a second successive podium finish in Sakhir today. Jarno has jumped to second in the drivers' championship with sixteen points.

Jarno Trulli (Car 16, Chassis TF105/02)
Race Classification: 2nd Gap: +13.409s (from race winner)
Aggregate Qualifying Classification: 3rd Agg Time: 3m02.660s (+0.758s) Grid: 3rd

"I am so pleased with this result. After Malaysia, I thought we would be competitive and to claim our second consecutive podium is fantastic. The car performed amazingly well, it was quick and reliable with no issues whatsoever. The braking, cooling, Michelin tyres, engine, everything worked well. I realised midway through the race that it was futile to try and catch Fernando and we were safely in second, which is tremendous for everyone in the team. I would like to thank all the team for this result, but we still have one place ahead of us, so we must keep pushing with that as the target."

The Fourth Is With Ralf
Ralf Schumacher overcame his qualifying deficit from Saturday afternoon with a blinding second qualifying lap this morning to propel him to sixth on the grid. From there, his strategy panned out perfectly to enable him to bring his points total to nine and fourth spot in the drivers' championship

Ralf Schumacher (Car 17, Chassis TF105/04)
Race Classification: 4th Gap: +53.272s (from race winner)
Aggregate Qualifying Classification: 6th Agg. Time: 3m03.271s (+1.369s) Grid: 6th

"Another great result for the team after our success in Malaysia. I had a good race, although it was pretty slippery, but that is to be expected at this track. The end result was dictated by the mistake in qualifying yesterday which bumped me down to eleventh but the team did a great job to move me up some positions on the grid. We have two cars in the points, including one on the podium, so well done to Jarno and everyone in the team both here and in Cologne. After my 5th place in Malaysia and now 4th in Bahrain, it must be my turn for the podium next."

Toy Story Two
With 25 points scored in two races, Panasonic Toyota Racing lies comfortably in second place in the constructors' championship, two points shy of its combined total since the debut race (and point) in Australia 2002.

Tsutomu Tomita - Team Principal "It is still like a dream to find ourselves in such competitive shape after only three years in the sport. I think first and foremost it is great to confirm our ultimate competitiveness at the front of Formula 1. It is also an outstanding achievement to consolidate Toyota's second place in the world championship. It really is a fantastic result. Performance-wise excellent drivers from both Jarno and Ralf. Jarno drove another smooth and consistent race making it look easy. Ralf did a great job in qualifying this morning to take him five places up the grid after a difficult lap yesterday. We knew his strategy would be compromised by stopping early but he drove a challenging race to pick up 4th place and five points - a great effort. Congratulations must again go to everyone in the team, the sponsors and the Toyota family. Now we have to look to ensure we retain this second place in the championship once the European season gets underway in Imola in three weeks."

2005 Bahrain Grand Prix - Main Page
2005 Bahrain Grand Prix - Team and Driver Race Reports Page

Sunday Qualifying

For the first time this season, a Panasonic Toyota Racing TF105 will not feature on the front row of the grid, but fine performances from both Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher ensured two Toyotas in the top six for this afternoon's Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir.

Clean and Tidy
Jarno Trulli will start the Bahrain GP from third on the grid after a tidy second qualifying lap this morning. Trulli will benefit from starting on the cleaner side of the track and be looking to make headway on Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher, who will occupy the front row.

Jarno Trulli (Car 16, Chassis TF105/02)
Second Qualifying Classification: 5th Lap Time: 1m32.667s (+0.613s) Laps: 6
Aggregate Qualiying Classification: 3rd Agg Time: 3m02.660s (+0.758s) Grid: 3rd

"For the first time this season, I will not start from the front row of the grid, but I think third is a still a good result and representative of our current competitiveness. I am starting on the cleaner side of the track, which will hopefully enable me to get a better start than my immediate challengers and from there we have to look at finishing amongst the frontrunners."

TF105 Alive
Ralf Schumacher put his troubles from yesterday behind him and drove an impeccable lap in second qualifying to leapfrog five cars and put his TF105 in sixth place on the Bahrain grid. In the process, Ralf set the third quickest lap of the session, bettered only by front row incumbents Fernando and Michael.

Ralf Schumacher (Car 17, Chassis TF105/04)
Second Qualifying Classification: 3rd Lap Time: 1m32.319s (+0.265s) Laps: 3
Aggregate Qualifying Classification: 6th Agg. Time: 3m03.271s (+1.369s) Grid: 6th

"My lap this morning was good, but I can't quite shake the feeling of frustration because of the mistake on my flying lap yesterday. Looking on the positive side, I made up five positions as a result of today's session, which has put me in with a real chance for another good points finish this afternoon with a car that Jarno has shown can challenge for the podium."

No Pole In One At Gulf Course
Not claiming pole position in today's final qualifying session could prove to be more beneficial for Panasonic Toyota Racing with the impressive pace of the TF105s setting the team up nicely to cement its second place in the constructors championship.

Mike Gascoyne - Technical Director Chassis "It was a pretty good session this morning with Ralf more than making up for his lap yesterday with an excellent run to make up five positions on his way to sixth on the grid. Jarno, although not on the front row, will benefit from starting the race on the clean side of the track from where we will be looking to ensure a second successive podium finish and both cars firmly in the points."

2005 Bahrain Grand Prix - Main Page

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