A productive week for Williams

It was a busy week of testing for BMW Williams at the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, where the team were running up to four cars; drivers Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya were present along with testers Marc Gene and Antonio Pizzonia. On Sunday 28th January Schumacher topped the time sheets with a 1.19.238 and throughout the week they tested with both the older FW23 chassis and the new FW24. They finished the programme on Friday 1st February once again at the top: test driver Anthony Pizzonia clocking a 1.19.452.

While there has been happiness with the engine performance, there was not so much enthusiasm for the chassis. Ralf Schumacher commented: "I'm pleased, but I'm more impressed by the engine than the chassis. It's not as good as I'd have hoped for."

Team mate Juan Pablo Montoya was equally cautious: "It's getting better, but I hope there's still a lot to come from it."

Williams' Chief Operations Engineer Sam Michael was more optimistic.

"In general terms it has been a productive test with much of the tyre, component and durability test objectives met." He said. "Although it is far too early to start making judgements, we have been pleased in overall terms with the early running of the new FW24 chassis."

The team are now preparing to head for Valencia where the next test is scheduled to start on 4th February and continues until the 10th.