Belgian GP Williams Friday notes

After a trouble-free first session, the BMW WilliamsF1 Team had an action-packed second hour in Spa-Francorchamps. Just as the rain started Ralf Schumacher stopped with a gearbox problem, while Juan Pablo Montoya went off and hit the barrier. At the end of the session, Ralf finished seventh quickest and Juan Pablo 16th.

Ralf Schumacher
"In the second session I was not able to do as many laps as planned due to the gearbox problem, but the current Michelin tyres left me with a good impression, much better than expected. In the dry conditions in the first hour the balance of the car wasn't perfect as I had too much understeer. We have some work to do but I am confident of the outcome."

Juan Pablo Montoya
"I struggled with understeer for most of the session, but the car was very balanced and had plenty of grip on full wets - this was maybe the best I had ever felt the car in any condition. Near to the end of the session, we tried intermediates, but with seven or so minutes to go, I lost grip, turned left and then right, but the car just went straight on into the barrier."

Patrick Head, Technical Director
"We didn't achieve a good balance on either car in the dry morning session, then when it rained Ralf had a gearbox problem which didn't allow him to run in the remainder of the session. Juan Pablo ran in the wet and was reasonably competitive, but then went out at the end and went off and did quite a bit of damage. Not a great day, but we will be working hard tonight and intend to recover the situation tomorrow."

Dr. Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director
"We had no engine problems, but we do have some work to do on the set-up of the cars. Unfortunately the weather and a technical problem on Ralf's car in the second hour limited our programme. The rain did have a positive aspect however - we could work on the adjustment between traction control and rain tyres. Looking at the weather forecast, this might be quite useful."

Chassis
Schumacher: FW23-07
Montoya: FW23-06
Spare (Montoya): FW23-02