Panasonic Toyota Racing conducted the second of its three-day test programme at Jerez today, with Ralf Schumacher continuing his set-up and tyre work in the morning before handing over to Jarno Trulli. The Italian had his first outing of 2006 after a holiday break enjoying the first Christmas with baby son Enzo.
Trulli returned to work amid rumours connecting a number of high profile drivers with the Toyota team. In the face of such speculation the team confirms its commitment to both Ralf and Jarno and to the continuity that is a key part of its development. Negotiations with our drivers will be dealt with in a correct and professional manner at a later date and everyone at Panasonic Toyota Racing is firmly focused on the 2006 programme.
Third driver Ricardo Zonta continued Bridgestone’s tyre programme by sampling a number of the Japanese company’s latest casings and compounds. The Brazilian had a productive day after a couple of morning interruptions due to electronic problems.
Ralf Schumacher found the rear end of his TF106 a bit too nervous under braking on the final run of his test, finishing up in the Turn 1 gravel, but still went home happy with progress.
“In general it was a successful test but we still have a big programme to work through on the tyre side”, said Ralf Schumacher. “The development work we do with Bridgestone is very interesting and has really only just started but I am very happy. There was a slight imbalance on the car but that was a set-up rather than a tyre issue. I felt the rear end become a little bit nervous and I spun going into Turn 1, but no harm was done.”
Source Toyota F1
DailyF1News.com
