BMW WilliamsF1 Team Reactions Japanese GP

By BMW WilliamsF1 Team
October 9 2005

Reactions ... Japanese GP Race

The FW27 proved strong and competitive today with Mark Webber running the entire race in the top 6 positions, having started seventh, and eventually achieving fourth place, helped by his strong pace, a well-planned strategy and some excellent pit-work. Team mate Antonio Pizzonia retired from the race on lap 10 when he spun off and his car ended up in the gravel.

Antonio Pizzonia DNF (retired on lap 10) Chassis: FW27 03 / BMW P84/5 Engine: 2nd GP "I spoilt my race just making a mistake really. I hit a kerb on the inside, which I shouldn't have done and lost the rear of the car. That was it, really. All I can take for me is the experience of learning the track and putting another race under my belt. Unfortunately it didn't end the way we wanted."

Mark Webber 4th Best time: 1:33.022 (lap 21 , 7th overall) Chassis: FW27 04 / BMW P84/5 Engine: 2nd GP "We did pretty well today, but I am not completely happy with my position, because this is not the result we wanted, after all. The most positive part today was the job the team did at both pit-stops, when we passed Coulthard first and then Button, but in the final laps I just could not hold Alonso behind me. The car has clearly improved because the guys in the aerodynamic department keep pushing and BMW is giving us a strong engine but today we couldn't compete on the straight."

Dr Mario Theissen BMW Motorsports Director "It was a great Grand Prix with many battles and overtaking manoeuvres. Mark drove a clean race. He only finally had to bend under the pressure of Kimi Räikkönen and Fernando Alonso. The pit crew did a fantastic job by gaining Mark two places and therefore enabling him to finish fourth. It is a shame Antonio retired early. Compliments to Kimi, one doesn’t see often a driver winning a race from grid position 17."

Sam Michael Chief Operations Engineer WilliamsF1 "It was a good effort by Mark, he drove well. We also had a good strategy and our crew did a good job on the pit stops to beat David Coulthard's Red Bull and also later on Jenson Button in his BAR. The pace of our car has improved. Unfortunately Antonio was out early. However, we are a winning race team so we continue to push until we get back there."