Chinese GP - Toyota - QualifyingToyota head into tomorrow's Chinese Grand Prix with
Ralf Schumacher and
Jarno Trulli ninth and 12th respectively after both put in strong laps in trying conditions this afternoon.
Schumacher battled understeer to set his time while Trulli
had to go out early in the session when the track was at its dustiest but he also held a good lap together.
Toyota heads into Sunday's race holding fourth place in the constructors' championship and looking to round off the season with another points finish.
Ralf Schumacher "This weekend has been quite a hard one for us because the car has been understeering and we have been struggling for grip. We had the same feeling in qualifying so it was hard work out there. The track was dirty and slippery so the lap was very difficult with more understeer and some oversteer. The lap time was still decent but it could have been a few tenths quicker. The race will be difficult but as usual we will be pushing hard for another points finish tomorrow in a bid to finish off the season on a good note."
Jarno Trulli"There wasn't a lot I could do out there today. Unfortunately I've just found the car very difficult to drive all weekend. Yesterday we suffered from understeer and a lack of grip and those problems continued into this morning's practice sessions. In qualifying the track had changed a lot from this morning and it was very dusty and slippery for me going out so early. Those are the kind of conditions in which we have struggled the most. Tomorrow's another day and I will just do my best to gain ground in the race. If we can end the season in the points it would be a good result."
Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director Chassis
"That was a reasonable result for the team after a good effort by the drivers. It's been a difficult day with a lack of grip and the drivers were struggling to find a balance with the car. That, combined with the fact that Jarno had to go out so early, means that given the strategy we have we can be reasonably pleased with our grid positions. We've found it difficult to get the tyres to work properly this weekend, so we will just have to wait and see how the track evolves for tomorrow in the race. Now we have to try to convert this result into getting two cars into the points."
E.A. Source Toyota
