Australian GP: Williams preview

After one of the most intensive winters on record during which the BMW WilliamsF1 Team has covered over 20,000km of testing in Europe, the speculation about the 2002 FIA Formula One World Championship will finally come to an end as teams assemble in the Victorian capital of Melbourne for the start of the new season. Despite being the curtain raiser to the 17 race series, the 5.3km city circuit that borders Albert Park Lake is widely regarded as one of the highlights of the season. After a strong finish to the 2001 Championship, BMW WilliamsF1 Team drivers Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya will be looking to sustain that momentum and kick start the 2002 campaign with a strong performance in the opening race.

Ralf Schumacher:
After the intense test programme over the last two months we are supposed to be better prepared than ever before, especially as we have done some race distances too. The most important thing for the first race of the season is always to finish it. I think, if we see the chequered flag we should have a chance to score a podium position as well. I like the Melbourne circuit a lot. Considering that it is a street circuit, it is very well done. Furthermore Melbourne is one of my favourite towns of the GP calendar. I will travel to Australia already on Saturday to have time enough to acclimatise.

Juan Pablo Montoya:
I must admit, I didnit really fancy racing at Melbourne for the first time last year, but once I got the hang of it, it was a pretty good place to compete. It is quite different from your average track as it is comprised of fast straights followed by slow corners. As Melbourne is the first race of the season, there will be a big question mark over everyoneis speed, even though I think we will be alright. We have done miles of testing recently, but despite this, I always want to do more before the first race

-williams-