WilliamsF1 commences Paul Ricard

By Andrew Hooper
March 26 2004


	Paul Richard Test 24:03:2004 Day One of Three

	The BMW WilliamsF1 team returned to their test programme with test drivers Antonio Pizzonia and Marc Gene testing at the Paul Ricard circuit in France. Both drivers focused on development work on the FW26 in preparation for the Bahrain Grand Prix. On a dry but windy day Antonio would go quickest, with Marc fourth fastest. Both drivers were using the FW26. Antonio focused on testing various set-ups prior to tyre testing later in the day. He would complete ninety four laps, with his fastest lap time been a 1m:11.501. Marc also spent the day evaluating tyre compounds, completing eighty nine laps, with a best time of 1m:12.060. WilliamsF1 Test Team Manager Tim Newton commented on the days testing: “Both Marc and Antonio were working on two new FW26 chassis today. In the morning, both drivers concentrated on chassis and set-up work while in the afternoon we completed a tyre test with Michelin.“ Testing continues tomorrow with Ralf Schumacher taking over from Marc.

	Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Pizzonia WilliamsF1 BMW (M) 1:11.501 94 2. Davidson BAR-Honda (M) 1:11.728 127 3. Sato BAR-Honda (M) 1:11.806 115 4. Gene WilliamsF1 BMW (M) 1:12.060 89 5. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:12.126 67 6. Wurz McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:12.317 98 7. Zonta Toyota (M) 1:12.740 134 8. Montagny Renault (M) 1:13.989 112 9. Briscoe Toyota (M) 1:14.987 23

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