Takagi makes F1 return in testing
( 2002-05-17 09:31 ) (7 )

Japanese driver Toranosuke Takagi returned to Formula One as he tested for the Toyota team at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France on Thursday.

Takagi left Formula One at the end of the 1999 campaign after two seasons with Tyrrell and Arrows, but was given a chance to test the TF102.

The 28-year-old is competing for Toyota-Walker Racing in America's CART series and was given the Formula One test "as part of a plan aimed at bringing together the corporation's worldwide motorsport activities," the team said in a statement.

Takagi completed 107 laps of the circuit with a best time of one minute 16.958 seconds.

"For me this was an exciting experience and it is incredible just how much F1 technology has changed in that time," he said.

"I want to say thanks to Toyota for giving me the chance to drive today. It was good fun and very different to CART."

Briton David Coulthard was the quickest driver at the Paul Ricard Circuit as he finished almost half-a-second quicker than McLaren team mate Finn Kimi Raikkonen.

German Ralf Schumacher set the pace on the third day of testing in Valencia, Spain, as he stepped up preparations for next weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

The Williams driver posted a best lap time of one minute 10.592 seconds to finish ahead of team mate Spaniard Marc Gene.