The BMW WilliamsF1 Team completed their three days of testing at Valencia, with Antonio Pizzonia and BMW touring car driver Andy Priaulx present on a cold and windy final day.

For Andy Priaulx his drive with the team came about due to his winning of the 2004 ETCC for BMW. For Priaulx this was his first time behind the wheel of a Formula One car.

For Antonio his day was spent focusing on tyre testing, in particular tyre compounds, for tyre supplier Michelin. He would complete 97 laps with a best lap time of 1m:09.447. This time was over half a second faster than the time set by Nick Heidfeld the previous day, a 1m:10.079.

Priaulx would spend his day getting use to the FW26. He would complete 64 laps, with a best time of 1m:12.790.

For the BMW WilliamsF1 Team the next major event is the launch of the 2005 FW27 next Monday, where identity of the second team driver will be announced.

IN summary the BMW WilliamsF1 Team today concluded a three day test at the Valencia circuit, in Spain. Nick Heidfeld and Antonio Pizzonia were on duty for the team and completed an intensive schedule of development work on the interim FW26 chassis despite poor weather conditions. This week also represented the final test prior to the team’s launch on Monday when the announcement of Mark Webber’s team mate will be made.

Andy Priaulx joined the team on the last day of the test and successfully completed 64 laps of the Valencia circuit on his first outing in a current Formula One car. Priaulx’s opportunity was afforded by BMW as a reward for claiming the 2004 European Touring Car Championship in a 320i with the BMW Team Great Britain. Next season, Guernsey-based Priaulx will contest the new FIA World Touring Car Championship with BMW Great Britain.


WilliamsF1 Technical Director Sam Michael:
"This was our last test using the FW26C interim cars, during which Antonio and Nick worked on tyre testing for Michelin, traction control and general set-ups. Although the conditions were dry, it was cold and windy which made driving consistently difficult. However, we covered good mileage to improve the reliability on various parts. On the last day of the test, Andy Priaulx drove one of the FW26s. It was Andy's first time in a Formula One car and he handled himself well. We are currently in the middle of the build period for the FW27, in preparation for its first test next week, to be held in Valencia."

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen:
"In Valencia, we worked with the new BMW P84/5 engines, working on its set-up, practising starts and putting mileage on the units. Not every problem has been resolved yet, but we are working hard and the engine specification for Melbourne will shortly be running on the dyno. Finally, the performance of our European Touring Car Champion, Andy Priaulx, was pleasing. He drove 64 consistent laps and, had it not been for technical problems, he undoubtedly would have improved his lap times."


Andy Priaulx:
"First of all, I want to thank BMW and WilliamsF1 for giving me this unique opportunity. It was the first time for me behind the wheel of a current Formula One car and it was a great experience, and completely different in every respect to anything I have done in the past. In the weeks before the test, I did special exercises under the guidance of a physiotherapist in order to prepare my neck muscles. It was worth every effort, as my neck hasn’t hurt at all. A few weeks ago, I also arranged a test with my former Formula 3 team to refresh my left-food-braking, I’m pleased I did! I'd like to have achieved a better lap time, but, just as I went out on fresh tyres, testing was interrupted due to an incident by someone else on the track."

POS. DRIVER TEAM TIME LAPS

1. D. Coulthard Red Bull Racing 1:09.175 46/99
2. A. Pizzonia BMW WilliamsF1 Team 1:09.447 77/97
3. V. Liuzzi Red Bull Racing 1:10.224 18/100
4. F. Alonso Renault F1 Team 1:10.398 51/87
5. J. Trulli Toyota Racing 1:10.597 108/111
6. T. Sato BAR. Honda 1:11.140 31/83
7. G. Fisichella Renault F1 Team 1:11.282 22/91
8. O. Panis Toyota Racing 1:11.460 37/85
9. J. Button BAR. Honda 1:11.557 25/68
10. A. Priaulx BMW WilliamsF1 Team 1:12.790 34/64