Malaysian GP Williams preview

While Malaysia has frequently staged top-flight motorcycle racing in recent years, the final round of the FIA Formula One World Championship will be the country's second Formula One Grand Prix. Lying to the south of the capital Kuala Lumpur, the purpose-built Sepang circuit offers a variety of twists and turns. Coupled with the teams' relative inexperience of the track and with the championship having been decided in Suzuka, the final round of the season could prove to be one of the most interesting and unpredictable.

Ralf Schumacher
"After having consolidated our third place in the Constructors' Championship in Suzuka, we head to Malaysia in a very optimistic frame of mind.

"Sepang is a very difficult track to drive and last year we had problems with the set-up. Some parts of the track are not level and the slow windy corners are very challenging. There is a combination of different types of corners - three to be taken in first and second gear, four in third, four in fourth and two in fifth gear. The start/finish straight is more than 800 meters long and the first and second corner hairpins are very tight, albeit offering good overtaking possibilities. Given our recent performances, we are again aiming for both cars to make it into the points."

Jenson Button
"As this is my last race of the season with the BMW WilliamsF1 Team, I would love to go out on a high and finish one step further than I have done so far this year. Like so many of the circuits this year, Sepang poses a completely new challenge to me but, as with all new tracks this season, I'm confident about learning it relatively quickly during Friday Free Practice. My debut season will stay with me forever and I cannot thank the BMW WilliamsF1 Team enough for the work, support and commitment that they have demonstrated all season. The workforce at WilliamsF1 has done a tremendous job on the chassis and after a thirteen-year absence from Formula One, BMW's return this season has been nothing short of admirable. I have little doubt in the team's ability to be a front runner and I am looking forward to being an integral part of that success over the long term."

Gerhard Berger (BMW Motorsport Director)
"For the final race of this season, we want to focus all our strengths in an effort to conclude an already successful season for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team. We want to strengthen our third place in the Constructors' World Championship - which is now within quite easy reach - with more points from Sepang. With the 2000 Drivers' Championship already decided in Japan, the BMW WilliamsF1 Team has the opportunity to be in the spotlight even more during this final race. It's important that the FW22 package again proves its consistency of the last weeks. Sepang represents a top modern race facility with the track being medium-fast. This should be good for us."

Frank Williams
"We did not do at all well here last year, so we return to this challenge with interest and enthusiasm."