WilliamsF1 team completes final day of testing

At the end of the day it would be Ralf who would set the fastest time with a best lap of 1m:21.575, while Marc was in fifth. Both drivers, even with the wet weather, were able to complete their test schedule.

For Ralf his day focused on extensive tyre tests, in both both in wet and dry conditions. He would use an FW24 with a P82 engine. For Marc his day again focused on development work on the new P83 engine and the teams new gearbox. Marc would complete fifty one laps with a best time of 1m:27.980.

The four days of testing, even though the team had to contend with less than ideal weather conditions, was still a positive start for the 2003 testing programme.

WilliamsF1 Chief Operations Engineer Sam Michael commented on the four days of testing by saying: "We have started our 2003 test program in Spain. Ralf Schumacher and Marc Gené have been testing in Jerez with Olivier Berreta testing in Barcelona for the last two days.

Although we had some dry weather it has been predominantly wet and
intermediate conditions. This has meant our focus has been towards wet tyre
development with Michelin, traction control and setup work. Michelin have made
some good progress on wet tyres and the direction is interesting, now that you
can only have one specification of wet tyre for racing in 2003."

For Dr Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director, he was also encouraged by the test adding his comments: "We have had a very productive four day test at Jerez. Marc Gené was driving with our new engine and we have continued development work on the P83. Within this programme we have tested new components and also worked on the engine's set-up. We have made good progress in our development programme of the new engine. Meanwhile Ralf Schumacher's FW24 has been equipped with an P82 engine to support chassis and tyre testing. The weather conditions permitted some rain tyre testing also.

The team will be running a full test schedule next week 13th – 17th January at Barcelona.

Joining WilliamsF1 at Jerez were the Ferrari and Renault F1 teams. For Ferrari only Luca Badoer would set similar times to those of Ralf. Ferrari continued a tyre and electronics development programme. Renault would continue to test some suspension modifications set to be used next season. However, the times of Trulli and Alonso were not really representative.

Pos. Driver Car/Engine Time Laps

1. R Schumacher Williams BMW FW24 M 1:21.575 78
2. L Badoer Ferrari Ferrari F2002 B 1:21.708 68
3. L Burti Ferrari Ferrari F2002 B 1:23.278 73
4. J Trulli Renault Renault R202B M 1:24.435 47
5. M Gene Williams BMW FW24B M 1:27.980 51
6. F Alonso Renault Renault R202B M 1:30.739 30