July 07, 2004
After 7 races without a single point in 2004, JTM's Toby Lock finally troubled the scorers at the European GP with his 7th place finish. Since then, Lock has achieved a 6th place in Canada and 5th at the US Grand Prix. Seemingly on a roll coming into his home GP at Silverstone, we at F1VWC News caught up with the JTM driver.

"Since I last saw you guys, everything has changed. I now have my third different team mate, a new sponsor, and points! It's amazing how things can change in a few months, seems the only thing that hasn't changed around here is me!" Lock chucked over his bottle of Veltins. This expensive deal, signed by Juan Tortella, will run until the end of 2004, with existing sponsors West, Cadbury's and Tommy Hilfiger has fully equipped the team garage with everything any team could wish for.

"We've got chocolate for the late nights (though the team have had few of them recently, with the departure of consistent crasher Matt Maple to Mapes-VO), cigarettes for anyone who wants them, we don't have to pay for the overall's as Tommy makes them for us, and now booze for the good times!" smiled Lock. Obviously very content with recent events in the F1VWC team, Lock was a lot more upbeat about the first half of the season than when we saw him in Barcelona.

"Early season was poor, and I've said that many a time now. Imola would have been my first points had we not been penalised, but Germany really seemed to click into place with what I and the team wanted and, to an extent, expected right from the off. Canada was another great result, where we beat some real big names." By big names, he meant Daniel Wilkinson, who expressed his disappointment at being beaten by Lock in particular before the USGP, and FinOz's Flying Finn Kari Koski.

"Yea I thought Wilko's comments were a little spiteful, but talk is cheap, because I beat him again at Indy. All jokes aside, I don't doubt that he'll be gutted again to have been behind me, but he's good enough to bounce back and I'm sure he will soon. It's just funny really, that not one, but both JTM's finished ahead of both he and Kieran in the other Phoenix!" Lock's new team-mate Nazario Nuti claimed a fantastic 4th place in the USGP, though the pair have hardly spoken.

"It's quite funny really, neither of us have had a real conversation since he signed for the team. It was kinda short notice, so we were both in the cars most of the weekend, and had little time to get to know each other, but I'm sure we will over the remainder of the season. He's bloody good though, I can tell you that much!"

Toby Lock crosses the finish line in 5th place at Indy!

The JTM boss Juan Tortella took part in all four days of testing at the Imola circuit, where both JTM cars were penalised for technical infringements during the early season race there. Tortella posted the 7th fastest time overall, though neither of the race drivers took part. Due to the hectic mid-season one-week-turnaround style racing format used to keep up with the FIA Formula One series, pressure on the drivers has been higher than normal.

"These quick-fire races were hard work, especially as two were Trans-Atlantic, which can throw you a little bit, and gets to the mechanics especially, as they work the hardest out of anyone. Still, Juan's giving them chocolate and beer, and they're working in the F1VWC series, what else could anyone want! All the guys at the team are working really hard, and recent performances have really made them happy"

Approaching the British GP, we asked Lock how he felt about his chances around the retro Silverstone circuit. He said "Hmmm, it will be interesting. The circuit isn't all that challenging, so I reckon a lot of people could be in with a chance of point-scoring. Some of the big-guns will obviously be even further ahead I think, simply because they will have more confidence going into the race. Hopefully Naz can get some more points for the team, and I'll be delighted with another top 8 performance".