WilliamsF1 Team Comments: Austrian GP

By Andrew Hooper
May 18 2003

 
 
Austrian GP Race - Team Comments
 
The BMW WilliamsF1 Team endured a trying day of highs and lows at the Austrian Grand Prix after Juan Pablo Montoya retired from the lead of the race on lap 32, while Ralf Schumacher improved on a difficult grid position of tenth to finish in sixth place, promoting the team to third equal in the Constructors' Championship.

The BMW WilliamsF1 team will conduct their next test at Le Castellet Test: 20-23 May, Juan Pablo Montoya and Marc Gené all days
 
Juan Pablo Montoya
Juan Pablo Montoya"The guys did a great job all weekend, and I'm not angry, what happened was just racing. Right from the start we were looking really good and everything was working to plan. Even when some drizzle came I was catching Michael at a rate of two seconds a lap, which I think clearly shows that the FW25 has potential, the team is going in the right direction and the Michelins are working well. Then I started losing water pressure and I knew the race was over. A shame, but at least we know we have the potential to win."
 
Ralf Schumacher
 Ralf Schumacher"After a difficult weekend I have three points in my pocket, which is some compensation. I made a few mistakes, but I managed to recover some of the lost ground. The main problem I had in the race was with the balance of the car with the third set of tyres and in particular the fronts which were graining badly. Otherwise the car was okay and I think the team has demonstrated that it has raised its performance."
 
Dr Mario Theissen BMW Motorsports Director
 Mario Theissen"Of course it's disappointing if you retire from the lead of a race. Juan Pablo could have won this eventful race. We were aware at the start that a regulation standard valve which limits water pressure was not operating correctly. The cooling system continuously lost water, and obviously even without water the best engine cannot survive. Ralf improved progressively from tenth position and had fourth place within his reach, but his third set of tyres made the car difficult to control, and he dropped back to sixth place. In summary, a disappointing result, but clearly improving performance."
 
Sam Michael Chief Operations Engineer WilliamsF1
 Sam Michael"It is a shame that we had a water leak with Juan's engine, otherwise he looked strong, he had a lot of fuel on board and he could have won the race today. The chassis and the tyres were working well together. Ralf started from further back, but none the less managed to claim three important constructors' points. In summary the team is looking forward to Monaco, the car is definitely improving and we must now translate this potential into results."
 
 
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