Salo and McNish happy with Spa test.

The Toyota Formula 1 team has taken a big step forward in development at its latest test session at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

The two-day test, which ended yesterday, gave the team the chance to improve and overcome the recent powersteering problem. Both drivers also worked on Sachs damper development. Mika Salo additionally worked on car set-up, whilst Allan McNish tested aerodynamic components.

"I am very happy with this test," said Salo. "The team has worked very well together to try and solve the many problems we've had in recent tests. I did around 80 laps today, which is a good amount of laps by any teams' standards. We did everything we came here to do, and overall the test was very encouraging."

McNish was also satisfied with the session. He added: "It was quite a productive test for us. We concentrated mainly on aerodynamic work, but we also tested traction control for the first time, which worked reasonably well."

Dago R?hrer - Toyota's General Manager - F1 Chassis continued: "I have read articles in the press recently comparing the times of our two drivers at test sessions. This is ridiculous. Both Mika and Allan have been working on very different programmes and so it is pointless and totally unrepresentative to compare their times. However we have certainly been very pleased with the progress we made here in Spa."

The best lap times and number of laps completed over the two days were:

Allan McNish Toyota 1m 53.60s 62 laps completedMika Salo Toyota 1m 52.00s 105 laps completed

The next session will take place on Monday and Tuesday at the N?rburgring in Germany. The test will be closed to the public, but open to any media - who have requested accreditation.