Ralf underlines importance of winter testing

Ralf Schumacher has underlined the importance of winter testing and especially the period in the run up to Christmas. Williams began its winter test programme at Valencia in Spain last week with Schumacher, teammate Juan Pablo Montoya and team test ...

Ralf Schumacher has underlined the importance of winter testing and especially the period in the run up to Christmas. Williams began its winter test programme at Valencia in Spain last week with Schumacher, teammate Juan Pablo Montoya and team test driver Marc Gen? all on duty.

Ralf Schumacher.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

"The test period ahead of Christmas is terribly important since the course towards a successful season is already being determined now," said Schumacher. "The BMW WilliamsF1 Team, for example, successfully proved in 2003 that you can start with a bad car and still compete for the World Championship."

Williams did not have the best of starts to the 2003 season but heading into the Autumn the team was leading the constructors' standings. Ferrari managed to claim the title by the end of the season but Schumacher Junior thinks putting in the winter work will hopefully lead to Williams claiming the championship next year.

"We missed the start of last season, that's why we didn't secure the World Championship title," he sad. "At the end of the season, we were even a tad better than Ferrari. So, if we deliver good work in winter we should be able to fight for the World Championship title. That's, of course, what I want."

Williams continues testing in Spain this week, at Jerez, where Schumacher and Gen? will be joined by Nico Rosberg and Nelson Piquet Junior for evaluation tests. The FW26 is due to be launched at the Valencia circuit on January 5th.