Although they will embark on different paths at the end of this race, both
Jarno Trulli and
Ralf Schumacher have vowed to help Toyota bring a disappointing season to a close on a high in the Brazilian Grand Prix.
While the contracted Trulli will stay with the team through to 2008, Schumacher has revealed that he will not continue with Toyota and as such faces a winter of uncertainty while he sorts a drive for himself.
However, although Trulli and Schumacher's futures vary, their aims for the present are the same as they seek to bring points to
Toyota's frustrating and anonymous sixth season of
Formula 1.
Trulli is best placed to do this though after hauling his spare car into the top ten shootout and then managing eighth place on the grid whilst there – much to his surprise and delight.
“First of all I have to thank all the team for doing a great job. We swapped to the T-car because I wasn't happy after yesterday's practice sessions. So that was a big effort from them and it's good to give them a good result today in return for that hard work. Today the car felt pretty good, and we improved the set-up.
“I was in P8 in all three qualifying sessions so that is where I'll be tomorrow. The race will be interesting because managing the tyres will play a major role for the race results. So it will be important to be lucky with the tyres, hope not to have too much graining and try to live with it. We will do our best and try to give ourselves a boost as we head into the winter.”
Schumacher on the other hand has a tougher job to make a good impression heading into the winter period after managing 15th position on the grid. Nonetheless, the German claims the copious overtaking opportunities means he can make progress.
“I didn't have any particular problems in Q2. The traffic was fine and the car felt reasonable enough. I just simply didn't get it right this time which is a pity but that's the way it goes sometimes. Tomorrow is the race and I will do the best job I can from where I am on the grid. It's not a great place to be on the grid but we'll see what we can do.
