WilliamsF1 commences Valencia Test

At the end of the day it would be Juan Pablo who would set the fastest time of the day with a lap time of 1m:13.346. Montoya would complete fifty six laps. Pantano would finish the da in sixth ahead of Marc Gene in seventh.

Gene would only complete only fourteen laps. The team spent the day testing a development FW24 chassis featuring the 2003 specification P83 BMW V10 and gearbox which will be used in the FW25.

WilliamsF1 Test Team Manager Tim Newton spoke of the days testing by saying: “It was great to get back to the routine of testing again, particularly as we are all looking forward to making a contribution to the development of the new FW25. We have a large team here to run three chassis, including a car for Giorgio Pantano who completed a good distance and acquitted himself very well today.”

Joining the WilliamsF1 team was McLaren who had Kimi Raikkonen and Alexander Wurz present for their testing. Raikkonen would set the second fastest time, just two tenths behind Montoya’s best while Wurz was fourth.

In third came Sauber's Nick Heidfeld. "The purpose today was to conduct detailed gear-box test to gather data for the forthcoming Sauber Petronas C22 which will be unveiled on February 9th, next year,” explained Jacky Eeckelaert. We had a successful day and were able to finish running an hour early having completed our gear-box program.”

For Renault F1 their test program would see Jarno Trulli running a chassis, with the new mechanical package of the R23, including engine and gearbox, and the aerodynamic package of last season’s R202. Trulli recorded the fifth fastest time.

"We are quite satisfied with this first day of testing with the interim car," stated Technical Director Mike Gascoyne. "We didn't experience any mechanical problems and we were able to complete our programme, which was very positive. Tomorrow we will continue with engine and systems evaluation, including some tyre work with Michelin."

Minardi meanwhile ran both Franck Montagny, Telefonica Nissan series driver, and Russian test driver Sergey Zlobin. With no deal signed yet for the use of Ford Cosworth power next year, the team reverted to the old PS01 chassis, albeit in ‘B’ specification with 2002 gearbox, rear suspension and floor, with European V10 engines last raced in 2001. Montagny and Zlobin set the eight and ninth fastest times respectively.

P. Driver Team Engine Chassis Tyre Time Laps

1 J P Montoya Williams BMW FW24 M 1:13.346 52
2 K Raikkonen McLaren Mercedes MP4/17D M 1:13.574 57
3 N Heidfeld Sauber Petronas C21 B 1:15.017 48
4 A Wurz McLaren Mercedes MP4/17D M 1:15.097 15
5 J Trulli Renault Renault R202B M 1:15.376 36
6 G Pantano Williams BMW FW24 M 1:15.531 69
7 M Gene Williams BMW FW24 M 1:15.958 12
8 F Montagny Minardi European PS01B M 1:17.031 28
9 S Zlobin Minardi European PS01B M 1:17.302 29