European GP Friday Williams notes

Weather: Sunny and warm, humid - 20 degrees average

The Winfield WilliamsF1 drivers Ralf Schumacher and Alex Zanardi were fifth and 16th quickest in the first free practice session for the Grand Prix of Europe. The team tested some different aerodynamic settings on both cars, especially a rear wing on Ralf's FW21. It was the very first run 'on four wheels' at Nürburgring for Alex, who only managed to have a lap yesterday on a scooter.

Ralf Schumacher

Chassis: FW21 06 T-Car Chassis: FW21 02 Best Time: 1:21.385 Best Position: 5th

"I am more than happy with today's performance, because I am more or less in the position I expected to be. I would be really glad if I could keep this place for tomorrow's qualifying. Also the weather is fine - and looks like it will remain so for tomorrow - which is for sure positive for us. I am quite surprised by the weather conditions, because generally in this time of the year, it is cold and wet at the Nürburgring."

Alex Zanardi

Chassis: FW21 05 Best Time: 1:22.321 Best Position: 16th

"We are struggling to find a good balance with my car but there is still enough time tomorrow to work in order to find a good solution. I am quite confident that we will manage to improve because, to be honest, we have several good ideas. Anyway, it's obvious that I need some time to get familiar with this track."

James Robinson, Senior Operations Engineer

"The Friday comment is always neutral, because it is difficult to know in which conditions the other teams are running. With regards to Alex, is to be underlined that he spent the first session learning the circuit, as he hadn't been here before. It was generally a positive day with no mechanical problems. Understeer was the main topic of the day and this will be our target for tomorrow's programme."