Toyota boss defends 'peaceful' Magny-Cours
Magny-Cours does not deserve its reputation as one of the least popular venues on the Formula One circuit, according to Toyota chief Pascal Vasselon.
Toyota’s senior general manager is one of the few Frenchman in a top Formula One job and, 100 years since France hosted the first grand prix, he is pleased to be heading to Magny-Cours.
The rural track is regularly criticised for its remote location but Vasselon believes a lack of distractions is perfect for Toyota to go about the serious business of racing.
He said: “It is one of the best races on the calendar because when you go there you know about serenity.
“You see cows in the fields and everyone is relaxed. People are different and it’s a very nice place to go. There is not a large density of people and the whole atmosphere just promotes a nice feeling.
“That’s exactly what I like about it, the peace and quiet. You can concentrate on the racing and you are not disturbed. It’s a place for racing enthusiasts.”
Toyota have scored points in their last two races to turn their season around and move the Cologne-based team within striking distance of fifth in the constructors’ championship.
Jarno Trulli has spearheaded that fight-back and is looking to build on his stunning fourth at Indianapolis, after starting from the pit lane.
He said: “Now we must hope to build on our improved pace and come away with another good result.”
Toyota’s great Japanese rivals Honda endured a much less successful fortnight in North America, drifting off the pace of the front-runners.
But they tested a major bodywork upgrade prior to this weekend’s race and Jenson Button hopes the improvements can end a four-race streak without a point.
He said: “We had some new items to test last week and were able to get some encouraging results, although our pace is still not quick enough to compete with the top teams.
“I’ve had decent finishes at Magny-Cours in the last two years so hopefully we can repeat that form next weekend with a strong points finish.
“It was disappointing to retire from the race at Indianapolis so early last weekend but looking on the positive side, the car worked much better all weekend than in Montreal.”
Points are some way off the agenda for France’s only home driver this weekend, with Franck Montagny pleased just to be on the grid at Magny-Cours.
Montagny’s race deal at Super Aguri expired after Indianapolis but, with tester Sakon Yamamoto waiting in the wings, he has been given one extra race, in front of his home fans.
