Arai very happy with Toyota`s Malaysian results

Noritoshi Arai had only good things to say about Jarno Trulli`s and Toyota`s excellent performance at the Malaysian Grand Prix last Sunday. The team`s Director of Technical Coordination declared that it was the result of combined efforts coming together: the driver`s experience, quick work in the pits, a perfect strategy, and the contribution of every member of the team.

Trulli`s final position also carries a bit of relief with it, as things had not gone as planned when the race started.

“While dropping position off the starting grid, I can`t fault Jarno, who was able to make it safely through the problematic first corner,” Arai wrote on the team`s website. “Rather, I have to applaud his performance in chasing down the McLaren. Jarno used the medium tire compound to its fullest, consistently turning in stable, quick laps.”

“Unfortunately, our car has just a touch too much downforce, resulting in too much drag through the straights and preventing us from overtaking. It is apparent that we still have room for improvement in our aerodynamics,” he admitted.

Timo Glock`s ambitions in Malaysia were cut short after Nico Rosberg`s Williams bumped him from behind, damaging the TF108 and forcing a very early retirement.

“I can only blame bad luck for what happened to Timo,” Arai considered.

“With part of his rear suspension broken, Timo was forced to retire from the race. It was a very disappointing end, especially considering how well things had progressed through qualifying.”

The Toyota team reached one of its goals by entering the points zone in Malaysia and now hopes to build on that momentum in order to attain the ever-elusive prize.

“We captured our first points of the season this weekend,” Noritoshi Arai was pleased to report. “But to my mind, this only marks the start in our goal to reach the top spot on the podium. There is still a measurable gap between us and Ferrari, and I don`t believe that McLaren showed all they have today (Sunday), either.”

Arai also preferred to play it safe when it came to making any predictions regarding the next few events appearing on the calendar.

“There`s no guarantee we will be able to battle like this every race,” he concluded.

Daniel BASTIEN

25.3.2008   ▪ Formula One    ▪ Malaysia, Toyota    ▪ en.f1-live.com