Kobayashi at work for Toyota

By on

Fresh from Jarno Trulli's podium finish in Sunday's French Grand Prix, it was a quick return to action for Panasonic Toyota Racing at Silverstone today. With the team still on a high from the result at Magny-Cours, Toyota kicked off a three-day test in preparation for next week's British Grand Prix.

Third driver Kamui Kobayashi was at the wheel for his first ever day of driving around Silverstone. After learning the track early on, he put in 82 laps of work on aerodynamics and set-up. Tomorrow Jarno is scheduled to take over at the wheel as Toyota continues to prepare for the race here.

Kamui Kobayashi - Chassis TF108-04
Best lap time: 1m 21.335s
Position: 4th
Total laps: 82
Total distance: 421.6km
"This was the first ever time that I've driven here at Silverstone, although I went around on a scooter yesterday to check the track. This morning I spent the early laps getting used to the circuit. It's fun to drive and I especially liked the sweeping, high-speed corners at Becketts. The last sector is tricky, especially the double hairpin at Luffield where it is difficult to find the perfect line. We spent the day testing set-ups and different aerodynamic configurations. We made it through our programme so it was a good day."

Gerd Pfeiffer, Test Team Manager: "After our great result at the weekend we have another busy week of testing here this week. Today Kamui began the programme with work on aerodynamics and set-up. As this was the first time he has ever driven at Silverstone he took a couple of runs getting used to the track in the morning. From then on he worked well, completing many laps and getting through everything we had planned. Tomorrow Jarno will take over as we continue to push in preparation for the grand prix here next week."