WilliamsF1 completes their Barcelona Test

The BMW WilliamsF1 team would conclude their testing at the Circuit de Catalunya with all the WilliamsF1 Team drivers completing an extensive programme. Ralf would aga8in join Juan Pablo and Marc in this final day.

Ralf and Juan Pablo would focus on a variety of testing tasks while Marc would continue with testing of the new BMW P83 engine. Marc would complete fifty six laps with the new engine as well as been able to test the 2003 gearbox. He would finish the day with a best time of 1m:18.397, the seventh-fastest time of the day.

For BMW Motorsport Director Dr Mario Theissen he came away feeling positive about the three days of testing. He said: “From a BMW perspective the Barcelona test has been very successful. We have recorded a lot of mileage and have made progress in all areas of development. Whilst two of the cars were on duty with chassis and tyre tests, a third FW24 was entirely dedicated to the purpose of running tests on the new BMW P83 engine and the 2003 gearbox. With the engine we have made good progress in terms of mechanical tests under track conditions and also have been able to improve the engine's set-up. During this progress we also identified some weak points.”

Ralf would complete seventy six laps, spending the day looking at testing new chassis adjustments. His best time of 1m:18.114 would see him fifth fastest. Team-mate Juan Pablo would set the fastest time of the three drivers with a best time of 1m:17.431 good enough for third fastest. He would complete eighty seven laps.

For Sam Michael, WilliamsF1 Chief Operations Engineer, he commented on the three days testing by saying: "In Barcelona this week we covered a lot of ground. Marc spent all his time running the new engine and gearbox package. He has also been working on development suspension and brakes for the 2003 car. Juan Pablo concentrated on traction control and an intensive tyre program with Michelin to continue our compound and construction development aimed at next year. It is yielding good results already. Ralf started on day two and has worked solidly on traction control, suspension geometry and brakes."

The fastest man of the day was McLaren's David Coulthard, who set a new circuit record at 1:15.712. The BMW WilliamsF1 Team’s next test drives are taking place between December 12 and 14 in Jerez.

Pos Driver Team/Engine Time Laps

1. D Coulthard McLaren Mercedes 1:15.712 18/65
2. A Pizzonia Jaguar 1:17.411 13/103
3. JP Montoya WilliamsF1 BMW 1:17.431 38/87
4. O Panis Toyota 1:17.550 37/67
5. R Schumacher WilliamsF1 BMW 1:18.114 27/76
6. G Paffert Renault 1:18.217 29/61
7. M Gene WilliamsF1 BMW 1:18.397 3/56
8. J Villeneuve B A R Honda 1:18.857 18/73
9. M Webber Jaguar 1:18.938 36/73
10. A Davidson B A R Honda 1:19.656 4/5
11. F Alonso Renault 1:19.836 8/68
12. R Firman B A R Honda 1:21.039 33/47
13. T Monteiro Renault 1:21.525 52/59