BMW Williams Valencia test summary

Valencia Test
20-22 February 2002

Summary
The BMW WilliamsF1 Team concluded a three day test in Valencia today which marked the end of winter testing ahead of the first Grand Prix in Melbourne next weekend. Many test team personnel have been working overseas continuously since January 5, and have completed over 20,000km of evaluation of the new chassis, the FW24, while frequently running a third interim chassis to progress the assessments of new components for the 2002 season. The significant effort of the test team since January has been matched by an around-the-clock design, fabrication and manufacturing programme at both Grove and Munich to provide a sufficient supply of new parts to run three cars almost non-stop since the test ban was lifted on January 7.

Sam Michael (Chief Operations Engineer, WilliamsF1)
"We have come to the end of an extensive test session covering the last 7 weeks and using 3 circuits (Barcelona, Valencia and Estoril). A lot of groundwork has been covered in terms of mileage covered and performance evaluations undertaken. We have made good progress on improving our reliability and have a clear picture of what problems we need to work on in the short term. Aerodynamically and mechanically, we have improved the FW24, particularly over the last two tests, and now we have to wait until Melbourne to see precisely where we are. All of the test team have worked long hours to ensure that we reach our targets and the contribution they have made to our program is greatly appreciated."

Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director)
"The Valencia test marked the end of a true marathon for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team. Again we completed an extensive programme with two cars. With both of them we have tested or respectively verified engine specifications for Melbourne. We see ourselves as well prepared, even though one never can be certain until race day." <pre> Valencia daily best times (number of laps)

Driver/Car              Tyre    20.02.02           21.02.02             22.02.02
Coulthard/McLaren        M      1:13.416(22)       1:11.296(77)         1:10.438
Wurz/McLaren             M      1:12.569(67)       1:11.659(111)        1:11.615
GenÈ/BMW Williams        M      1:13.904(44)       1:12.826(94)         1:12.190
Montoya/BMW Williams     M      1:13.468(43)       1:12.751(77)

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