WilliamsF1 team completes final day of testing
FW24 noses ....
By Andrew Hooper
January 10 2003
The BMW WilliamsF1 team completed their four day test program at the Jerez circuit. Ralf and Marc were again present, with Ralf setting the fastest time of the day in a day with variable weather conditions. The team would come away satisfied with the progress made.
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| Jerez Test 09:01:2003
Final Day |
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| The BMW
WilliamsF1 team would complete their final day of testing at the Jerez
circuit. Again it would be down to Ralf Schumacher and Marc Gene to carry
out the testing duties. But like the previous three days the circuit was
affected by showers limiting any dry weather running to a one hour period in
the morning.
At
the end of the day it would be Ralf who would set the fastest time with a
best lap of 1m:21.575, while Marc was in fifth. Both drivers, even with the
wet weather, were able to complete their test schedule.
For Ralf his day focused on
extensive tyre tests, in both both in wet and dry conditions. He would use
an FW24 with a P82 engine. For Marc his day again focused on development
work on the new P83 engine and the teams new gearbox. Marc would complete
fifty one laps with a best time of 1m:27.980.
The four days of testing,
even though the team had to contend with less than ideal weather conditions,
was still a positive start for the 2003 testing programme.
WilliamsF1 Chief Operations Engineer Sam Michael commented on the four days
of testing by saying: "We have started our 2003 test program in Spain. Ralf
Schumacher and Marc Gené have been testing in Jerez with Olivier Berreta
testing in Barcelona for the last two days.
Although we had some dry weather it has been predominantly wet and
intermediate conditions. This has meant our focus has been towards wet tyre
development with Michelin, traction control and setup work. Michelin have
made
some good progress on wet tyres and the direction is interesting, now that
you
can only have one specification of wet tyre for racing in 2003."
For Dr Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director, he was also encouraged by
the test adding his comments: "We have had a very productive four day test
at Jerez. Marc Gené was driving with our new engine and we have continued
development work on the P83. Within this programme we have tested new
components and also worked on the engine's set-up. We have made good
progress in our development programme of the new engine. Meanwhile Ralf
Schumacher's FW24 has been equipped with an P82 engine to support chassis
and tyre testing. The weather conditions permitted some rain tyre testing
also.
The team will be running a full test schedule next week 13th – 17th January
at Barcelona.
Joining WilliamsF1 at Jerez
were the Ferrari and Renault F1 teams. For Ferrari only Luca Badoer would
set similar times to those of Ralf. Ferrari continued a tyre and electronics
development programme. Renault would continue to test some suspension
modifications set to be used next season. However, the times of Trulli and
Alonso were not really representative. |
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Pos. Driver
Car/Engine Time Laps
1. R Schumacher Williams BMW FW24 M 1:21.575 78
2. L Badoer Ferrari Ferrari F2002 B 1:21.708 68
3. L Burti Ferrari Ferrari F2002 B 1:23.278 73
4. J Trulli Renault Renault R202B M 1:24.435 47
5. M Gene Williams BMW FW24B M 1:27.980 51
6. F Alonso Renault Renault R202B M 1:30.739 30 |
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