Olivier Panis tested Toyota's new 2.4-litre V8 engines on Wednesday for the first time, and afterwards expressed his dismay at the lack of power.
As of 2006 Formula One will introduce 2.4-litre V8 engines, which the FIA hopes will go a long way towards reducing the speed of the cars. And according to Panis, it will.

During Wednesday's testing Ralf Schumacher, who was using the current V10 spec engine, clocked a 1:17.631, while Panis using the V8 could only manage a fastest time of 1:22.447.

"It is just so different," the Frenchman told Autosport.

"You just expect more power to come after a while. First and second (gears) are okay but after that there is no more, it is so different."

But despite the lack of pace, Toyota technical director Mike Gascoyne was satisfied with the V8 engine's first outing.

"This is first time we have run the car in a test. We've not even shaken it down, and so far it is good," he said.

"The vibration is a lot less than what we have expected. We had more vibration problems on the test bench than here and so far it is running without problem.

"We will have a V8 car in every test from now and we will have to see how the progress is."

any driver with lap record under their belt for any circuit would be cheering then as good chance they will remain for all time. early days in development though. all this stuffing around with the category could do them more harm than good. looks like they could also be back to all out speed qualifying session next yr also. not a 1 lapper on race fuel.

F1 is trying things to make it interesting. Some work some didnt but at least they are making it different.

On a side note the 7 Michellin teams have been cleared for any wrong doing in the USA race last month.