WilliamsF1 returns to testing at Jerez

Rosberg
By Andrew Hooper
January 12 2006

The WilliamsF1 would return to testing, this time at the Jerez circuit after the Christmas & New Year break. Joining Nico Rosberg was new team test driver Alex Wurz. Both drivers would have troubled days as the team continued with the test programme with their Cosworth engine and Brisgestone tyres.

Jerez Test 11:01:200 Day One

After the Christmas and News Year break the WilliamsF1 team returned to their winter test programme, this time at the Jerez Circuit. Present were Nico Rosberg and making his debut new team test driver Alex Wurz. On a day that would see both drivers have various troubles the team would continue their development programme using their Cosworth V8 engine and Bridgestone tyres.

Wurz Alex would only take to the track in the afternoon and would leave the track with what appeared to be a mechanical problem. Alex would also experience some discomfort in the cockpit of his car. Nico would also have mechanical problems with his gearbox and would also bring out two red flags during the day.

Alex would only complete thirty one laps finishing with a time of 1m:20.749 to be near the bottom of the times. But for the Austrian, after spending the last five years with McLaren, it was a new experience as he settled into working with his new team. Nico would finish eighth fastest, completing fifty laps, with a best time of 1m:19.394.

WilliamsF1 Technical Director Sam Michael commented on the days testing:
“Today Alex started driving for WilliamsF1 and spent the morning working on systems checks before concentrating on set-up work in the afternoon. Alex is a fantastic addition to the team and has fitted in well immediately. Meanwhile, Nico worked on set-ups and started some tyre testing for Bridgestone before experiencing a gearbox problem, caused by a high mileage component. Mark will be joining Nico tomorrow before Alex resumes testing on Friday.”

In an interview for Autosport Alex spoke of his first day with the WilliamsF1 team. Alex said: "It was learning day for me and for the team. I want to find out how the car is and I want them to find out how I think.

"It is like in a new class in a new school, there is more challenge and there is no problem with the car.

Alex added: "I still have to modify a bit in the seating position but it is a few millimetres here and there. It was the first time in the car and probably we can modify the seat a bit before Friday. Certain aspects are similar and certain aspects different, I am happy to be here."

Nico will be joined by Mark Webber on Thursday, with Wurz returning on Friday.

   Driver	Team	   		Time	 Laps
1  P de la Rosa	McLaren Mercedes (M) *	1:15.509  86
2  M Schumacher	Ferrari (B)		1:17.970  53
3  R Zonta	Toyota (B)		1:18.541  71
4  F Alonso	Renault (M) *		1:18.697  104
5  N Heidfeld	BMW Sauber (M) 		1:18.817  56
6  G Fisichella	Renault (M) 		1:19.118  65
7  R Schumacher	Toyota			1:19.189  35
8  N Rosberg	WilliamsF1 (B)		1:19.394  50
9  A Davidson	Honda (M)		1:19.427  112
10 L Badoer	Ferrari (B) *		1:19.774  94
11 J Rossiter	Honda (M) 		1:19.891  104
12 J Trulli	Toyota (B)		1:19.975  18
13 G Paffett	McLaren Mercedes (M) *	1:20.136  81
14 V Liuzzi	Toro Rosso (M)		1:20.216  90
15 A Wurz	WilliamsF1 (B) 		1:20.749  31
16 D Coulthard	Red Bull Racing (M)	1:21.198  31

* denotes V10