WilliamsF1 commences Valencia Test

JPM testing again
By Andrew Hooper
February 11 2003

The BMW WilliamsF1 team commenced their five day testing program at the Valencia circuit. Both Ralf and Juan Pablo were present, with both drivers having access to a new FW25. This will greatly assist the team as it moves forward in their development of the new FW25.


	Valencia Test 10:02:2003 Day One of Five

	The first day of the BMW WilliamsF1 teams test at the Valencia circuit would see both Ralf and Juan Pablo have the opportunity to take to the track in an FW25, at the same time. The team since the launch of the new FW25 had been able to complete a second FW25. Again the test focused on the development of the new FW25. The cars were fitted with the new aerodynamic package for the test. The days testing was helped by favourable weather conditions, with Ralf ranked first in the times and Juan Pablo second. Ralf would set his best time on his sixty fifth lap, with a best lap time of 1m:11.948. Juan Pablo would set a bets time of 1m:12.429. Last weeks testing at the Circuit de Catalunya focused on reliability, but for the team the testing is looking at improving the performance of the new car. Unfortunately with neither Ferrari or McLaren present, there was no team against which the WilliamsF1 team could compare times. Despite this the team was pleased with the pe4rformance of the car. WilliamsF1 Test team Manager commented on the days testing by saying: “The day was mainly cloudy and the temperature dropped at the end of the day. It was good to have both drivers in an FW25 together out on the track. The majority of attention was the running in of the latest FW25 chassis. The test team continued to carry out tests to assess the new package. Tomorrow we will be running a pit-stop practice schedule.” Joining the WilliamsF1 team were those of Renault and Jordan. Renault's Fernando Alonso finished third, Jordan's new signing Ralph Firman finished fourth, and Renault Test driver Allan McNish brought up the rear on this day. Firman said of his first days testing in a Formula One car: "It went well today and I’m really happy. Although it’s not my first F1 test it’s been really good to be able to drive a car without being under any pressure because it’s not about the quickest lap time of the day, but rather getting to know the team and learning the car and circuit properly. "Obviously F1 cars are hugely quicker than others I’ve driven, their braking capacity is immense, and they are much better in high speed corners. It’s great that I was able to get so many laps in today." The BMW WilliamsF1 Team is scheduled to continue its test drives in Valencia until Friday.

	Driver Team/Engine Time Laps R Schumacher WilliamsF1 BMW 1:11.9 48/65 JP Montoya WilliamsF1 BMW 1:12.4 29/44 F Alonso Renault 1:12.6 25/38 R Firman Jordan 1:13.5 57/77 A McNish Renault 1:14.9 54/56