Gene completes day one of WilliamsF1 Jerez Test

With the disappointment of the Canadian Grand Prix behind them the BMW WilliamsF1 team got back into their test schedule with Marc Gene completing the first day of testing at the Jerez circuit.

There were only four cars present with WilliamsF1 joined by McLaren and Renault. Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher are both taking some time off after the Canadian Grand Prix and it was down to test driver Marc Gene to conduct the first days testing.

Marc Gene was using an FW24, with the test focusing on gaining setup data for the next European and British Grand Prix events.  Gene was able to complete sixty one laps, a distance of 282 kilometres.

Now only was he working on setups for the chassis, but was also carrying out tests for tyre partner Michelin. The main focus of attention here was in finding the tyre-compound best suited for the July 7th race at Silverstone.

The only problem for Marc occurred when he left the track and did some damage to his car. With the repairs to his car taking some time he was not able to conduct any real further testing.

For Tim Newton, WilliamsF1 Test Team Manager, he was pleased with the days efforts. He said: “This is the first time this year that we are testing at the Jerez track which greeted us with an extremely hot day. We had track temperatures over 50 degrees with the ambient temperature around 35. Regardless, we have been busy today and are pleased with the set-up work we completed."

As for the times set, which in light of the number of cars present were such that not much could be read into them, Marc would finish the day with a fastest time of 1m:23.540. Gene is due to continue the test-driving, so that Juan Pablo can then take over the car from him on Thursday.

As for the other teams it would McLaren test driver Alex Wurz who would set the fastest time of 1m:22.330 after sixty six laps. Wurz time testing new tyres from Michelin, but also focused on suspension settings of the MP4/17. He was supported by Darren Turner.

Renault test driver Fernando Alonso was second was present to do basic setup work before beginning a programme which included development of the team's new traction control system and the testing of different front suspension geometries.