The BMW WilliamsF1 team returned to the testing this time at the Circuit de Catalunya at Barcelona. Present for the day was Mark Webber and Antonio Pizzonia.

There were some concerns as to the condition of the newly laid track surface, which has seen some teams change their test venue to Jerez, but the WilliamsF1 team was able to work through aspects of their test programme. Those drivers present were able to set times close to those achieved in 2004, despite the slippery conditions.

There were complaints about some sections of the track been bumpy, including the end of the main straight, the entry to turn one, and the exits to turns three and four.

Mark would complete 104 laps with a best lap time of 1m:17.125. Antonio would complete 79 laps, with a best time of 1m:17.370. The team continued to work on development of components for the FW27.

Nick Heidfeld will join Mark Webber tomorrow.

WilliamsF1 Test Team Manager Tim Newton commented on the days testing:

He said: “The track at Barcelona has recently been re-surfaced and today marked its first official test session. The new asphalt was considerably slippery for Mark and Antonio on their initial outings but grip level gradually started to improve with the continual laying of rubber. There are some bumpy parts on the track but we are in discussion with the circuit management regarding these problem areas.

We won’t be able to commence work on tyre testing until we’ve clocked up some more miles and laid some more rubber on the track. We’ll continue in this vein over the next couple of days and hope for some more productive testing as the week progresses.“.

POS. DRIVER TEAM TIME LAPS

1. M. Schumacher Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 1:14.815 87/104
2. M. Webber BMW WilliamsF1 Team 1:17.125 93/99
3. A. Pizzonia BMW WilliamsF1 Team 1:17.370 62/79
4. J. Trulli Panasonic Toyota Racing 1:18.372 47/65
5. D. Coulthard Red Bull Racing 1:18.467 56/68
6. V. Liuzzi Red Bull Racing 1:19.533 65/66
7. R. Schumacher Panasonic Toyota Racing 1:19.936 44/47