Gene fastest at WilliamsF1 Valencia test Day One

The day would see test driver Marc Gene, at the wheel of an FW26, set the fastest time of the day. Marc would set a lap time of 1m:10.198. Marc focused on tyre testing, in particular testing various tyre constructions. He also looked at the cars traction control system. Part of this would see him practice simulated race starts. Marc would complete seventy four laps.

Team-mate Juan Pablo, would finish third fastest. His day focused on evaluating various mechanical and aerodynamic set ups for the new FW26. he would complete eighty two laps with a best lap time of 1m:10.466.

WilliamsF1 Chief Operations Engineer Sam Michael said: "The first day of testing at Valencia has gone well. Both Juan Pablo and Marc were running the FW26s with Juan concentrating on mechanical set-up work in the morning followed by electronics testing in the afternoon. Marc ran a similar programme combined with tyre testing in the afternoon."

The team will continue testing tomorrow with Ralf Schumacher and Antonio Pizzonia joining Marc Gene.

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps

1. Gene WilliamsF1 BMW (M) 1:10.198 74
2. M. Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:10.408 111
3. Montoya WilliamsF1 BMW (M) 1:10.466 82
4. Massa Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:11.203 95
5. Trulli Renault (M) 1:11.375 59
6. Panis Toyota (M) 1:11.770 85
7. Montagny Renault (M) 1:11.778 111
8. Davidson BAR-Honda (M) 1:12.094 67
9. Sato BAR-Honda (M) 1:12.193 64
10. Webber Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:12.322 52
11. Zonta Toyota (M) 1:12.762 97
12. Bruni Minardi-Cosworth (B) 1:12.925 75