BMW yet to make a decision

Now as the team prepares for the start of the US Grand Prix weekend there is still discussion as to whether this engine will be used again. The decision to use will be made after the team practices for the race.

BMW Motorsport Director Dr Mario Theissen said on the BMW Motorsport web site: “In Qualifying we will again use our latest engine development which allows us revs over 19,000 per minute. The decision as to whether we run this engine specification in the race will be made after we have completed our endurance runs."

There are several factors which will have an effect on this decision, one of these been the nature of the Indianapolis circuit with its long straight and twisty infield section. On the long straight the engines are run at full throttle but overall the cars only use full throttle for fifty percent of the lap reducing the overall demands on the engine.

Dr Theissen added: “on the oval part of the Indianapolis circuit, the engines run full throttle for 23 seconds, this represents the longest full-load section of all Formula One circuits. In contrast, there is the narrow infield, which reduces the full throttle percentage of a lap to just over 50 percent, based on data collected in 2001. The important figure for the engine is the continuous loading on the straight."

WilliamsF1 Chief Operations Engineer Sam Michael also commented on the circuit by saying: “It has the longest straight with up to 23 seconds on full throttle, followed by tight and twisty corners, none of them high speed at all. The set-up of the car needs to be geared towards good traction for the slow speed exits and good braking stability."

Michael added: ”The circuit layout demands maximum downforce for the infield and minimum drag for the straight. We are sure to see a variety of different wing levels tried throughout the weekend."