Allan McNish in 2002
Allan McNish in 2002Did not take race start
Post race quote
"I was very disappointed not to be racing in Suzuka with Panasonic Toyota Racing at the last race of the season. Following yesterday's accident I rested overnight and I did the warm-up this morning feeling fine. As a racing driver, I would have liked to race this afternoon, but I accept the FIA medical team's decision and I am very sorry for the team and all the Japanese fans."
Talk about the race on the messageboard
Finished 15th
Post race quote
"That was an extremely tough and physical race. From the very start we experienced big differences in the car's balance from turning left to turning right. It got progressively worse as the race went on and the car became difficult to drive. The steering was locked when turning right and it was an achievement in itself to get the car home, but still we should have done better than 15th. Our next stop will be Japan for the last race of the season and Toyota's home race. I plan to end it on a high."
Talk about the race on the messageboard
Retired
Post race quote
"It looks like we had a failure in the front suspension. I felt it first near the start of the race and the car became inconsistent particularly under braking at Ascari. Unfortunately it just got worse and we were not able to cure it, putting me out of the race. I made a great start and was up to 6th after 10 laps. It is a big disappointment to retire from a points scoring position. We had a real chance today."
Talk about the race on the messageboard
Finished 9th
Post race quote
"I had quite an eventful race and good fights with other drivers. We had a little problem with the wheel sensor that affected the traction control and therefore my car's consistency, but we had no other major worry. I am happy for the team that we brought both cars home in the top 10. This takes us to the last three races in a positive frame of mind."
Talk about the race on the messageboard
Finished 14th
Post race quote
"I got a clean start and had de la Rosa and Mika ahead. It is notoriously difficult to overtake here and all we could do was sit in line. At my second stop I had a problem selecting gear which lost a bit of time, but I was making up ground at the end. Overall there were no major technical problems, other than some slight understeer and I am pleased to finish the race."
Talk about the race on the messageboard
Retired
Post race quote
"When I left the pits after my scheduled stop, the car just did not accelerate correctly. I tried to get the car back to the pits but unfortunately I got stuck at the end of the straight. It seems there was a hydraulics problem. We were beginning to go well and I was looking forward to the rest of the race. It is frustrating, no question about it."
Talk about the race on the messageboard
Finished 11th
Post race quote
"Today's race was generally okay. However we struggled continuously with lack of grip. I had a problem on my first pit-stop when the left front wheel would not go on. I suffered with quite a lot understeer on my second set of tyres. The third set was better and I was making up ground when my car had an engine failure. It is really unfortunate as I was up to 9th at that time. I am sorry that the oil my engine left on the track caused Kimi Raikkonen to miss out on what would have been his first F1 victory, but at the same time I am pleased for Michael getting his 5th title."
Talk about the race on the messageboard
Retired
Post race quote
"Basically the lights went green and there was a problem with the clutch and the engine stalled. It was not the same problem we had in Imola. We tried to get the car going back in the garage but we couldn’t and by that time we were outside of the 90% time you need to be classified, so the race was over. Needless to say I am extremely disappointed, not only for myself and the team but for the fans supporting me here at my home race."
Talk about the race on the messageboard
Finished 14th
Post race quote
"I had some small traction problems at the beginning, but things soon got better and the car was running quite well. There was a problem with the front left tyre on my first stop, losing me about 6 seconds. My shoulder was extremely painful due to a new seat in the car. The pain was so intense after my second stop it is a miracle I finished the race at all. Only tomorrow will I know whether I can test next week, but I tell you one thing I am not going to miss my home Grand Prix in Silverstone."
Talk about the race on the messageboard
Retired
Post race quote
"I had contact with de la Rosa at the start, which damaged the set up of the car making it difficult to drive. The paddles on my steering wheel would not work during my scheduled stop, so I lost time there. My race ended on lap 45 when I span the car. It has not been a good weekend and I am hoping for better things in Germany."
Talk about the race on the messageboard
Qualifying
Amazingly, Allan was 2nd fastest at the end of the first day practice on Thursday. The Toyota was looking in great shape at Monaco and hopes for more points on Sunday were high. The best qualifying session for Toyota, ended up with McNish 10th just behind his team mate who was 9th. A good place to fight for points from.
Race
McNish made a good start and was running very well in his Toyota during the early part of the race. Unfortunately, Allan made a mistake at Sainte Devote and he caught the barrier, with the car out of control he crashed into the guard rail and was out of the race. A bit of inexperience on the Monaco circuit but a pretty good first time effort until his mistake.
Retired
Post race quote
"I was driving very comfortably and the car was feeling very strong. I just touched the inside barrier at Sainte Devote, which bounced the car on to the outside. It was my first time at Monaco and these things can happen. We have had a competitive weekend and we are already looking ahead to Montreal"
Talk about the race on the messageboard
Qualifying
Allan McNish continued to improve in his Toyota and ended up qualifying in his best position so far this year. The car proving competitive Allan was pleased with his performance despite qualifying 4 places behind his team mate.
Race
After reasonable performance in qualifying the team were optimistic of a good result in the race. Indeed the car proved reliable, but the safety car coming out badly affected their race strategy. Allan improved from 14th on the grid to finish in 9th place.
Finished 9th
Post race quote
"Overall it was quite a strong race for us and a lot of physical activity at the start. The deployment of the safety car harmed us a lot more than the others, but the car ran very well and we put in some respectable times after a conservative first few laps. It was good to get both cars to the end of the race again"
Talk about the race on the messageboard
Qualifying
After a successful start to the season, Toyota have been finding it hard to qualify well since the European season started. Spain was no exception with Allan only getting to 20th position. Allan spun the car on his 2nd run but fortunately escaped with no damage.
Race
Allan's Toyota was in much better shape for the race, and he was able to have a competitive race. His car got stronger as the race went on and proved reliable. Allan was there at the end and finished in a good 8th place with his team mate behind in 9th.
Finished 8th
Post race quote
"Considering the starting position it was a good race for us. The balance
moved a bit through the race but certainly the car got stronger. The best thing
is we had a two-car finish, and that experience will be very good for the team.
To have the second finish under my belt this year is great and I quite enjoyed
it!"
Talk about the race on the messageboard
Qualifying
It was another slightly disappointing qualifying session for Allan with Toyota struggling with getting the balance to ride the Imola kerbs. However, Allan was on 3 100ths behind his team mate in 17th and ahead of Jaguar at the end of session.
Race
Allan's race lasted just one metre when his car came to a grinding halt as he tried to pull away. The drive gone from the car his car Allan was forced to coast off the track and before getting to the first bend.
Retired
Qualifying
With Toyota already impressing everyone with their performance so far this season, Allan was hoping to continue with the good performances. Allan qualified in 16th spot but made a mistake on his last flying lap, however, he was hopeful for the race as the car is better in race trim
Race
Allan made a good start to the race and was making progress through the field but he was unlucky to run over the nose wing from Montoya's Williams after his coming together with Schumacher. This resulted in a pit stop for Allan as he had suffered damage to his front wing and front tyre punctures. He rejoined the race but handling on the Toyota began to get worse and worse and he eventually spun the car after locking the rear wheels after 40 laps.
Retired
Qualifying
We weren't able to see Allan's pace in Australia as he was one of the 8 cars taken out at the first bend collision. However, Mika Salo's points finish proved that the team are a force to be reckoned with. Allan had a problem with his race car in qualifying and he was forced to switch to the T-car which wasn't set up correctly for Allan. He struggled to get a good balance and only managed to qualify in 19th position.
Race
Allan McNish started the first lap from 19th position on the grid, however, by the end of the opening lap he was in 11th position. A quite magnificant start to the Malaysian GP. From 11th he kept being promoted up places when others ahead of him retired and he was looking like scoring points for Toyota in 6th. Unfortunately, a mis-communication from the team resulted in Allan coming in for his pit stop just after his team mate had left and Allan's tyres were not ready. He lost a lot of time and Felipe Massa's Sauber was able to get ahead to take the 6th spot away from him. It was very encouraging for the team and the driver and it looks like more points finishes will be on the cards.
Finished 7th
Qualifying
The Toyota team were doing amazingly well for their first Grand Prix. The car was proving very reliable and pretty fast too, setting good straight line speed. In the rain affected qualifying session Allan was able to make it to 16th place.
Race
Allan's race was ended no sooner than it had begun when he was taken out in a massive pile up at the first bend caused by Ralf Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello. Allan was not able to take avoiding action and was taken out in the mayhem. It could have been a good result for the Allan, but it was still very encouraging for Toyota who scored their first point with Allan's team mate, Mika Salo.
Retired
