WilliamsF1 commences extensive test

For the BMW WilliamsF1 team it was a case of further testing only a short time after having seen their drivers compete in the Malaysian Grand Prix. The team is back at the Circuit de Catalunya for further testing. The team will conduct four days of testing, present this day were Juan Pablo Montoya and Marc Gene.

The test was conducted under sunny skies with temperatures of up to 23 degrees centigrade. Both drivers were working on the continued development of the new FW25, but only Juan Pablo would have a FW25 to use while Marc would use an FW24D.

By the end of the day it would be Marc gene who would set the fastest time of the day amongst those drivers present. Marc would set a time of 1m:17.290, completing forty nine laps. Marc's main focus was on tyre testing for the team.

Gene would finish ahead of Pedro de la Rosa, who was again testing for McLaren. Next was Toyota's Cristiano da Matta. Toyota had originally planned to test for just three days, but have extended that to four days in order to deal with fuel pressure problems they experienced in the first two races of the season.

For Juan Pablo he would complete a total of sixty two laps with a best time of 1m:17.732, fourth fastest time. This result would see him finish ahead of the two Ferrari drivers Rubens Barrichello and Luca Bador, who had been testing the new F2003-GA.

The BMW WilliamsF1 Team is going to continue their test until Friday inclusive.

WilliamsF1 Test team Manager Tim Newton commented on the days testing by saying: “Today was the beginning of a four day test at the Circuit de Catalunya with Juan Pablo driving an FW25 and Marc in an FW24D. It was a foggy start this morning but the sun quickly burnt the fog away and we had sunshine all day. We completed over 500kms on the track today with Juan focussing on car set-up work and Marc completing a tyre test for Michelin."

Pos Driver Team/Engine Times Laps

1. M Gené WilliamsF1 BMW 1:17.290 46/49
2. P de la Rosa McLaren Mercedes 1:17.439 63/68
3. C da Matta Toyota 1:17.531 41/65
4. JP Montoya WilliamsF1 BMW 1:17.732 26/62
5. R Barrichello Ferrari 1:17.748 58/75
6. L Badoer Ferrari 1:17.815 23/56
7. T Sato BAR Honda 1:18.903 72/94