WilliamsF1 returns to testing at Barcelona

By Andrew Hooper
January 20 2004

 

 

  
Barcelona Test 19:01:2004 Day One of Five
 
The BMW WilliamsF1 team commenced their second round of testing with the new FW26, this time at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona in Spain. The WilliamsF1 team was the only team present but they will be joined by several others on Tuesday. The WilliamsF1 team will be testing for five days.

Ralf SchumacherWith very cold conditions greeting the drivers in the morning it was not until the afternoon that Ralf Schumacher and Marc Gene would able to conduct any meaningful testing.

For test driver Marc Gene this was his first opportunity to test the new FW26. He did not waste time before he was setting competitive times in the new car. Marc would set the quickest time of the day with a 1m:15.931, completing seventy six laps. Marc was to focus on tyre testing for Michelin.

Ralf would set a time of 1m:16.171, to be just over two tenths of a second behind Marc. Ralf's day would be spent working on set ups for the FW26 and traction control system tests, involving a number of simulated race starts.

Tim Newton, WilliamsF1 Test Team Manager, commented on the days testing: “We had a very cold start to the day, with the ambient temperature reaching as low as -1°C this morning. With a track temperature of only 1°C, running was minimal in the morning. Greater progress was achieved in the afternoon, however, with both Ralf and Marc in the FW26, Ralf running chassis two for the first time. Marc completed some tyre testing for Michelin while Ralf spent the day shaking down the new car.”

Ralf continues testing tomorrow, with Juan Pablo replacing Marc. Nico Rosberg will join the team on Wednesday and Friday.
 

Pos Driver Team Time Laps

1. M. Gené, BMW WilliamsF1 Team, 1:15.931, 63/76
2. R. Schumacher, BMW WilliamsF1 Team, 1:16.171, 49/51
 
 
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