WilliamsF1 winds up three day Barcelona Test

On the final day of testing at Barcelona the BMW WilliamsF1 team would gain take the opportunity to run Nick Heidfeld and Antonio Pizzonia together as part of their driver evaluations.

On a sunny day the team would have another day where technical problems would limit their track time, with the drivers not taking to the track until midday.

Once both drivers were out they would both focus on setup evaluations as well as tyre testing for Michelin. Antonio would concentrate on testing new tyre compound while Nick focused on tyre constructions.

Antonio would complete forty five laps, with a best lap time of 1m:16.230, while Nick would complete forty three laps on his way to setting a time of 1m:16.951.

This day of testing would complete the teams three day test programme at the Circuit de Catalunya. All three BMW WilliamsF1 drivers were used over the three days. The test aimed at evaluating setups and components for the new FW27 chassis, which is to be shown the public in just over a weeks time.

WilliamsF1 Test Team Manager Tim Newton commented on the three days of testing by saying: "We experienced a couple of hindrances during the test this week in Barcelona. On the first day, Mark and Antonio had to get used to the new track surface, but both drivers still recorded some good mileage on the interim chassis while testing new parts for the FW27.

On Wednesday, we suffered a technical problem with the suspension. Running was therefore put on hold while the problem was identified and until we had received some new parts from the factory. As a result, we had restricted running until Thursday afternoon when we were able to do some tyre testing and carry out practice starts.

We are now heading to Valencia for a three day test next week, starting on Tuesday with Nick and Antonio. In the meantime, everyone's hard work, both at the track and at the factory, to solve the problem with the suspension quickly and effectively should be recognised."

BMW Motorsport Director Dr Mario Theissen added his views.

He said: "We didn't have any problems with the engine during the Barcelona test this week. The team worked on the start set-up and traction control system with the drivers, we also practised some working processes of a race weekend. In addition, we completed endurance testing of the engine. Our goal is to put the running time required for two Grand Prix weekends on as many engines as possible."

POS. DRIVER TEAM TIME LAPS

1. D. Coulthard Red Bull Racing 1:16.130 47/64
2. A. Pizzonia BMW WilliamsF1 Team 1:16.230 38/45
3. N. Heidfeld BMW WilliamsF1 Team 1:16.951 33/43
4. O. Panis Panasonic Toyota Racing 1:17.010 31/103
5. C. Klien Red Bull Racing 1:17.035 49/77
6. J. Trulli Panasonic Toyota Racing 1:17.321 18/78
7. R. Barrichello Scuderia Ferrari 1:17.402 53/57
8. R. Schumacher Panasonic Toyota Racing 1:17.890 67/72