Formula One news

Toyota drivers optimistic at Spa

The Toyota team approaches the Belgian Grand Prix with optimism after both Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher qualified in the top half of the grid at Spa-Francorchamps today. After strong practice form, the team was optimistic of a good showing in qualifying and Jarno will start 8th with Ralf 11th.

Both Ralf and Jarno comfortably progressed through Q1 with their final flying laps. But Q2 saw only the Toyota of Jarno make it through, with Ralf setting the 12th fastest time, although he moves up one spot on the grid after a 10-place penalty for a competitor. Jarno set the 9th fastest time in Q3 despite some traffic on his final flying lap and he starts from 8th.

As Kubica received a grid penalty Jarno Trulli wil start with his 9th qualifying time from P8 at Sunday's grid. Speaking about today's result the Italian said: "I am reasonably happy with today's result. Again we have done quite a good job to get into the top 10 and thanks to the team so far it has been a smooth weekend, with no problems on the car. Starting from 8th place is not bad - it is a good place from which to fight in the race tomorrow. Obviously my aim is to bounce back into the points at the best circuit in the world, and I will do my best. I just hope we can get everything right from the start to the end of the race."

Ralf Schumacher set the 12th fastest time and, just like team mate Trulli, he will move up one spot thanks to Kubica and thus start the race from P11. He said about today's qualifying: "It is frustrating not to get into the top 10 because I think we had the pace to do it. Practice went well and we were hopeful of a good result in qualifying. I think we were looking good but unfortunately on my last run in Q2 the out lap didn't go as planned and I could not warm my tyres and brakes as much as I would have liked, so I had some understeer. That was it really for me."

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