WilliamsF1 completes Paul Ricard Test

The BMW WilliamsF1 Team concluded a three day test at Le Castellet today
having covered just over 3,500 kilometers. Ralf Schumacher and the team’s
official test drivers, Marc Gené and Antonio Pizzonia, were all on hand to perform testing duties. On Friday reigning IRL Champion, Scott Dixon, joined Ralf for the final day of the test.

As part of the team’s ongoing commitment to developing the WilliamsF1 BMW FW26 and reducing the gap to main rivals, Ferrari, the drivers concentrated on preparation work for the forthcoming Bahrain Grand Prix and the start of the European rounds.

Sharing the driving duties with Ralf Schumacher was reigning IRL Champion, Scott Dixon. Ralf would finish the day second quickest, with Dixon an impressive fourth on his debut drive for the WilliamsF1 team.

Ralf Schumacher would focus on longer runs as well as setup work on the FW26. Ralf would complete 134 laps setting a best time of 1m:11.330.

Dixon would complete fifty nine laps, with a best time of 1m:11.753. Been his first run in a Formula One car Dixon's time was spent acquainting himself with his car and working on various set-ups. Dixon will test again early next month at Barcelona.

Dixon spoke of his first time in an Formula One car. He said: "Although it’s a steep learning curve, I’ve had a really enjoyable day and, in general, I’m please with how it went. Unfortunately, I had a problem with the gearbox this morning so my time in the car was limited. When the team fixed the problem I was happy with how it went at the end. I would have liked to have had a few more runs in the car as I think I could have gone quicker but I’m now looking forward to the next test in Barcelona."

WilliamsF1 Test Team Manager Tim Newton commented on the three days of testing: "With four drivers sharing the test programme this week, we’ve managed to record a significant amount of mileage, data from which we will be able to use in preparation for the next few races. Aside from shaking down the new FW26
chassis, we’ve completed some useful tyre testing with Michelin. Scott Dixon ran for the first time today, and spent the session acclimatizing himself with a Formula One car and preparing for his next run in Barcelona."

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen added: "Besides tyre testing, we also undertook practice starts and tested traction control. Although the weather wasn't perfect, we have made good improvements at Ricard for the forthcoming Bahrain race. Parallel to our track activity, we have been analysing Ralf's Malaysia engine and identified the defective component."

The BMW WilliamsF1 Team’s next scheduled test will commence on 7th April in Barcelona.

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps

1. Button BAR-Honda (M) 1:10.887 80
2. R. Schumacher WilliamsF1 BMW (M) 1:11.330 144
3. Davidson BAR-Honda (M) 1:11.623 48
4. Dixon WilliamsF1 BMW (M) 1:11.753 59
5. Wurz McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:12.256 22
6. Zonta Toyota (M) 1:12.427 57
7. Montagny Renault (M) 1:12.733 141
8. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:12.638 96