Ralf returns to track at Silverstone Test

For BMW WilliamsF1 driver Ralf Schumacher the teams three day test at Silverstone will give him the opportunity to drive a F1 car for the first time since his accident in the United States Grand Prix. If his times in today's testing are any indication he is ready to return to racing. Ralf was to finish the day with the quickest time.

On a day that was windy and wet Ralf would set a time of 1m:18.014, over a second quicker than the nearest of his rivals. He would get back into the swing of things easily and would  complete 165km day of testing without any problems. Team-mate Marc Gene was present and he would finish the day slowest.

Ralf was to comment on his return by saying: “That was my last weekend at home for a long time. In two weeks time, in Shanghai, I’ll be back.”

At the end of the session Schumacher said, “I couldn’t be happier with today’s test. The most important thing was that I had no back pain at all, which helped me feel confident and push hard. Finishing the quickest today makes me feel very positive and I am also delighted with how the car has progressed since the middle of the season. I got up to speed very quickly and I was pleased to find that I could get the most out of the car’s developments.“

WilliamsF1 Technical Director, Sam Michael. added: “We hope that he will be able to drive on all three days. If everything is okay, he’ll be racing in Shanghai. We have missed him, he is a driver with a lot of experience, but I believe Antonio has done a very strong job for us in recent races.”

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen supported Michael's comments: is optimistic: “If Ralf is fit enough to drive then he’ll be driving in Shanghai.”

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps

1. R. Schumacher WilliamsF1-BMW (M) 1:18.014 32
2. Wurz McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:19.083 36
3. Davidson BAR-Honda (M) 1:19.367 65
4. Zonta Toyota (M) 1:19.521 47
5. Button BAR-Honda (M) 1:19.559 45
6. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:19.560 54
7. Alonso Renault (M) 1:19.739 55
8. Panis Toyota (M) 1:20.137 59
9. Glock Jordan-Ford (B) 1:22.241 51
10. Montagny Renault (M) 1:30.473 25
11. Gene WilliamsF1-BMW (M) 1:32.047 33