Heidfeld leads Pizzonia on Day Two at Valencia

On a cold dry but windy day the BMW WilliamsF1 team completed day two of their Valencia test. Nick Heidfeld and Antonio Pizzonia continued with the testing, as the team worked further on the development of components for the FW27

With only five days to go before the team will publicly announce the teams second driver, both Nick and Antonio worked through the teams test schedule. Nick would work through various traction control and chassis setups, completing 109 laps with a best lap time of 1m:10.079. Antonio also worked on chassis setups but also completed some tyre construction testing for Michelin. He would complete 97 laps, with a best lap time of 1m:10.364. Nick and Antonio would finish first and second of the drivers present.

Thursday will see BMW Touring car driver Andy Priaulx carry out a test drive with the team as a result of his championship success in the 2004 ETCC.

WilliamsF1 Test Team Manager Tim Newton commented on the days testing. He said: "We’ve had another difficult day today with the wind restricting our efforts again. Both Pizzonia and Heidfeld still managed to complete a considerable numbers of laps, however, with the pair also recording the quickest times of the session.

The drivers were working to the same schedule, putting more mileage on the new components and evaluating set-up options. They also attempted some tyre testing but to little effect due to the poor weather conditions.

Nick has concluded his work with the interim FW26 while Antonio will run for one more day tomorrow. He will be joined by Andy Priaulx who has been awarded a one off test opportunity as a reward for his success in the European Touring Car Championship with BMW.”

For both Nick and Antonio they will find out whether they were successful in winning the second drive in 2005. For Nick, speaking to Autosport magazine, he felt that he had done enough. He said: ''I did all I could, and now it's a question of waiting.''

In the times that the pair took to the track together Pizzonia was only able to beat his German rival twice, but having said that the team would be looking at a far more comprehensive range of criteria in making their decision, than just the head to head results.

Pos Driver Team Best Laps Tyres

1. N Heidfeld BMW WilliamsF1 Team 1:10.079 57 / 109 M
2. A Pizzonia BMW WilliamsF1 Team 1:10.364 36 / 97 M
3. G Fisichella RenaultF1 Team 1:11.124 27 / 83 M
4. D Coulthard Red Bull Racing 1:11.495 62 / 71 M
5. C Klien Red Bull Racing 1:11.854 45 / 56 M
6. A Davidson BAR Honda 1:11.944 35 / 104 M
7. R Zonta Toyota Racing 1:11.966 41 / 75 M
8. V Liuzzi Red Bull Racing 1:12.090 47 / 51 M
9. F Alonso RenaultF1 Team 1:12.098 21 / 29 M
10. T Sato BAR Honda 1:12.602 14 / 111 M
11. O Panis Toyota Racing 1:12.803 76 / 78 M