WilliamsF1 completes Jerez Test


Pizzonia

By Andrew Hooper
December 7 2004

The BMW WilliamsF1 team completed their three day Jerez test, with Nick Heidfeld been joined by test driver Antonio Pizzonia. On a day where the drivers struggled with variable weather conditions including showers and strong winds Nick would finish second.

 

 

 
Jerez Test 02:12:2004 Final Day
 
The final day of testing this week at Jerez would see Antonio Pizzonia and Nick Heidfeld continue the development work on the interim FW26s. Both drivers would have to struggle with varying weather conditions, strong winds and showers during the day, which saw little running on a dry track. Despite this the team was able to log a considerable amount of data.

Nick HeidfeldBoth Antonio and Nick focused on evaluating setups for the wet conditions. Nick would complete ninety six laps, with a best time of 1m:22.490 to be second fastest on the day.  Antonio would complete forty nine laps, with a best time of 1m:23.365.

Over the three days of testing Webber, Pizzonia and Heidfeld would complete a total of 506 laps of the Jerez circuit, a distance of 2,241 kilometers.

WilliamsF1 Test Team Manager Tim Newton commented on the test session: "After a rather troublesome test in Barcelona last week, we’ve made good progress this week in Jerez. Mark, Antonio and Nick all did a good job with the interim cars and, despite some rather inclement weather, all three recorded impressive mileage.

On his fist outing with the team, Nick settled in well and gave us some productive feedback. Credit must be given to everyone, both at the factory and at the track, who have worked hard over the past week to rectify the teething problems encountered in Barcelona. As a result, we’ve had a relatively trouble-free, and therefore productive, test.”

For Nick Heidfeld the two days of testing he had was not carried out under the best of conditions but he did come away happy with the time he had in the car.

He said: “I’m really happy with the two days I’ve had in the car. It’s a very nice car to drive, and I was getting more familiar with it lap by lap. I think I would have benefited from some more time, and better weather to get a proper feel of how the car handles in the dry. Overall though, it’s been a very productive and satisfying test.”

As for his chances of securing a full time drive with the team Heidfeld had these comments to the German RTL television network: "I have a good feeling and think I have a good chance. I've done all I can and I hope it's enough. I must now wait and see what happens."

The team will be back in action at Jerez from Wednesday 8th December, in the teams last test for the year.

 

POS. DRIVER TEAM TIME LAPS

1. J. Villeneuve Sauber Petronas 1:22.074 74/75
2. N. Heidfeld BMW WilliamsF1 Team 1:22.490 95/96
3. V. Liuzzi Red Bull Racing 1:22.608 67/68
4. C. Klien Red Bull Racing 1:22.853 33/36
5. A. van der Merwe Lucky Strike BAR. Honda 1:22.871 70/72
6. A. Pizzonia BMW WilliamsF1 Team 1:23.365 47/49
7. T. Sato Lucky Strike BAR. Honda 1:24.082 34/44
8. G. Fisichella Mild Seven Renault F1 Team 1:24.516 36/38
9. A. Wurz West McLaren Mercedes 1:24.687 48/49
10. F. Montagny Mild Seven Renault F1 Team 1:24.736 35/37
11. R. Schumacher Panasonic Toyota Racing 1:26.221 52/55
12. L Badoer Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 1:27.598 15/39
13. P. de la Rosa West McLaren Mercedes 1:28.281 19/25
14. M. Gené Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 1:28.911 6/38
15. R. Doornbos Benson Hedges Jordan 1:32.245 21/48
16. E. Bernoldi Lucky Strike BAR. Honda 1:33.475 6/15

 
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