Ralf returns to testing at Valencia


By Andrew Hooper
May 18 2002

 

 

  
Valencia Test 16:05:2002 Day Three of Six
 
The WilliamsF1 test team would continue their testing at the Valencia circuit with regular race driver Ralf Schumacher setting the fastest time of the day. His time would be slightly slower than the lap record from Marc Gene, set the day before.

Ralf SchumacherRalf had taken over the wheel of the WilliamsF1 BMW FW24 from test driver Antonio Pizzonia. Ralf would set a best time of 1m:10.592. The circuit record, held by Marc Gene, was a 1m:10.451.

Like Marc Ralf used a qualifying setup for his fastest lap. The greater part of his testing was in tyre testing for Michelin tyre-compounds for the Monaco Grand Prix. For Gene his days testing involved a complete race simulation.

Even though the team weer happy with the work both drivers put in, they were to have some problems with Ralf having an engine related problem and later on Marc would have some technical problems.

Jordan driver Giancarlo Fisichella was third followed by Renault driver Jenson Button in fourth. Button had taken over from Jarno Trulli and continued a pre Monaco programme in order to be competitive at the next race. Test driver Fernando Alonso ended up in last position.

BAR's Olivier Panis had a difficult day as he caused a red flag in the morning, when he stalled with gearbox problems. Therefore he was not able to match the pace today.

Tim Newton, WilliamsF1 Test Team Manager, was happy with the days efforts and said: “Another useful day in Valencia. Ralf continued the tyre work that we were working on yesterday with Marc. On Marc’s car we worked on engine mapping and aero preparation for Monaco”.

Ralf and Marc are due to resume the tests on Friday for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team.
 

Driver Team/Engine Times Laps

1. Ralf Schumacher WilliamsF1 BMW 1:10.592 27/79
2. Giancarlo Fisichella Jordan Honda 1:11.406 41/84
3. Marc Gene WilliamsF1 BMW 1:11.411 45/49
4. Jenson Button Renault 1:11.465 45/62
5. Olivier Panis BAR Honda 1:12.448 38/54
6. Fernando Alonso Renault 1:13.095 13/63

 
 
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