WilliamsF1 focuses on endurance runs on day three
JPM's office ....
By Andrew Hooper
February 13 2003
The WilliamsF1 team completed day 3 of testing at the Valencia circuit. After yesterdays lap record the days testing contrasted greatly in that speed was not the teams focus. For Juan Pablo he focused on endurance runs. Ralf would tyre test while Marc would carry out system checks on the FW25.
|
|
|
| Valencia Test 12:02:2003 Day Three of Five | |
| After the
very encouraging show of pace by the new FW25 in Tuesdays testing at the
Valencia circuit, where Juan Pablo set a new lap record, it was back to
business with the BMW WilliamsF1 team focusing on endurance runs and the
continuing assessment and development of the FW25. Joining Ralf and Juan Pablo was test driver Marc Gene. The weather conditions at the circuit were slightly overcast with the temperatures were between nine and fourteen degrees centigrade.
As for Juan Pablo he had the distinction of setting the fastest speed with a speed of 301.17 km/h. He would complete ninety eight laps, that been almost 100 kilometres more than his car has to cover during an Formula 1 race. Juan Pablo, who had set a new track record the day before, set a best lap time of 1m:12.988 finishing the day in eighth place. Fast lap times were aimed for as Juan Pablo was aiming at completing long runs with a full tank. For Marc he would drive the new FW25, conducting systems tests. He would complete sixty one laps, with a best time of 1m:12.800. WilliamsF1 Test Team Manager Tim Newton felt that the day was useful and said: "Today we had a full testing programme with three drivers and three cars on the track. Juan Pablo Montoya completed a race distance in the FW25. Ralf Schumacher was running in an FW24 and was focused on tyre work for Michelin and it was Marc Gené’s first day with the team for this test session. Marc was driving an FW25 where we were working on various systems on the car. It was useful day for everyone and tomorrow we hope for similar progress.” Renault's Fernando Alonso would finish the day with the fastest time, just beating Ferrari’s Rubens Barrichello as he continued working with the 2003 model R23. Barrichello, working
Ferrari’s final day at Valencia, continued on the Bridgestone tyre programme
and completed ninety two laps in an F2002. |
|
|
Pos Driver
Team/Engine Time Laps |
|
For
Ralf his times were no where near as fast as the times set by team-mate
Montoya’s on Tuesday but for the German his day would focus on tyre testing
for Michelin using last years FW24. He would finish the day with the third
fastest time with a best lap of 1m:11.478, completing forty five laps. He
would also spend some time doing practice pit stops.
 |