FW26 continues to set encouraging times

The new FW26 continued to set encouraging times with Ralf Schumacher setting the fastest time on the fourth day of the BMW WilliamsF1 teams test at  Jerez de la Frontera.

For Ralf this was his first opportunity to test the new FW26, replacing Juan Pablo Montoya, and he would quickly get into the swing of things setting a time  four tenths of a second faster than that set by Juan Pablo.

Ralf would spend the day focusing on mechanical set ups for the new FW26. Ralf would complete a series of long runs with no problems with the new car, setting a best lap time of 1m:16.319. This time was only a tenth off the circuit record.

For test driver Marc Gené his day would see him focus on race conducting a race simulations that will see him complete a total of 800 kilometres over the weekend. Gene would set the fifth fastest time of the day.

WilliamsF1 Chief Operations Engineer Sam Michael said: "Ralf took over testing duties from Juan Pablo today and concentrated on mechanical set up of the FW26. He recorded the fastest time of the test so far and seems happy with the new package. Marc continued to work with the FW25B, and spent the session completing long runs for endurance testing which he will continue tomorrow.”

McLaren's David Coulthard would finish the day more than seven tenths behind Ralf driving the new MP4-19. Kimi Raikkonen was fourth quickest ahead of Marc Gene in the WilliamsF1 FW25.

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps

1. R. Schumacher WilliamsF1 BMW (M) 1:16.359 82
2. Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:17.074 104
3. Sato BAR-Honda (M) 1:17.945 103
4. Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:18.054 87
5. Gene WilliamsF1 BMW (M) 1:18.175 93
6. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:18.681 62
7. Davidson BAR-Honda (M) 1:18.830 95
8. Badoer Ferrari (B) 1:18.841 79