Panasonic Toyota Racing has recorded yet another points finish at today's incident-packed Canadian Grand Prix after Ralf Schumacher took 6th place around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. But there were mixed emotions as Jarno Trulli was robbed of a podium by a brake failure eight laps from home. Both drivers had eventful races, with Jarno moving up two places at the start and then moving steadily up to third when he retired. Ralf climbed up through the field after losing ground at the start on his way to three championship points. The German treated the whole team to an evening of karting last night, so there were a few sore limbs among the mechanics. But this result, which means that Toyota has retained a share of 3rd place in the constructors' championship, will help soothe the aches and pains.
Ralf Schumacher took his yet another points finish by finishing 6th today at Montreal. The German lost ground at the start but battled hard all afternoon in traffic to bring home three points.
Ralf Schumacher: "I'm glad to be leaving here with three points under my belt. I gave my best considering everything that happened this weekend. I didn't get well off the line today and we need to check the reason for that. Unfortunately the lost places meant that I was always going to struggle in the race with the strategy we had. But I battled hard and gained a place early on. Then it was just about staying in the race and seeing what could happen. I was unlucky with the safety car when Montoya pitted, but our instructions from race control were to stay in the position I was. The good news is that Jarno was very near to getting a podium, and it shows that we can drive good races when everything goes well."
Jarno Trulli was denied his fourth podium of the season after suffering a brake failure in the closing stages of the Canadian Grand Prix but the Italian retains third place in the drivers' championship.
Jarno Trulli: "That was a real pity for me and the team. We were looking quite good and all set for the podium when I suffered a brake failure. The brakes had been fine up to that point and there was no wear problem, it was just a failure. As such, the final chicane was about the best place to have had it because there was plenty of area to run off. Before that I had a brilliant start with good traction and a good getaway. I tried to go down the inside but there was not much space so I switched the outside. Sato pushed me wide but I kept flat over the kerbs and overtook him. I really enjoyed that one. After that the car was very good and we were getting the best out of our race considering our strategy and set-up. It was a hot, tough race but I prepared well for these conditions, when I've usually had my best results. The whole team did a fantastic job all weekend. It's disappointing to lose out on three podiums in three races, but that's motor racing."
Panasonic Toyota Racing will leave Montreal still holding onto a share of third place in the constructors' championship after today's points finish in an incident-strewn Canadian Grand Prix.
Tsutomu Tomita - Team Principal: "Both drivers put in fantastic efforts today, but as a team we were very unfortunate. Jarno made a great start, he drove well all afternoon and he was heading for the podium until he suffered a brake failure. We had lost all the telemetry on his car shortly after half-distance so we couldn't monitor what was happening on the car. He reported back no problems so we'll have to see what happened when we get the car back. Ralf had a bad start and lost positions so it was difficult to move forward with his strategy. He did a very good race, and did well to make up some places in the first laps. During the safety car period he ended up the lead car when Montoya pitted on the instructions from race control. From a lap back all he could do was stay in 6th for three valuable points. The good thing is that Toyota again showed its strong performance to the world and we will continue to challenge next week at Indianapolis."
