San Marino GP Williams race notes

For the first time this season neither of the BMW WilliamsF1 Team cars saw the chequered flag. Jenson Button had an early end to his race, going into the gravel because of an engine failure on the 5th lap when lying 16th. Ralf Schumacher had to stop due to a fuel pick up problem on lap 46, when he was in fifth position.

Ralf Schumacher
T-Car Chassis: FW22 02
Best Time: 1:27.339 on lap 45
Position: DNF

"Unfortunately, right after the start I had to slow down to avoid a crash and I lost four places and dropped to ninth. After that the Williams BMW was running very well and I moved up to fifth position. When Jacques Villeneuve went in for his pit stop I could push a bit more, but unfortunately I experienced some problems with the fuel pressure. That's the reason why I couldn't finish the race for the first time this year."

Jenson Button
Chassis: FW22 04
Best Time: 1:31.912 on lap 4
Position: DNF

"It's a shame that I couldn't finish the race today. The start wasn't too bad even if starting 18th is quite difficult to get a real result. On lap five I went into the second chicane and the rear wheels just locked because of an engine problem so I finished off track into the gravel. This morning's warm up went well, we had found a good set up for the car and we had a good race strategy but unfortunately I wasn't able to complete it. Now I can't wait to next week's testing in Silverstone and to race there on the following weekend."

Patrick Head (Technical Director WilliamsF1)

"Obviously a disappointing race. Ralf really got boxed in at the start so he lost four places from his grid position. He was going very well and with a couple of people dropping back and some pit stops we were in the points. We were also quite optimistic about being able to get ahead of Villeneuve at the second stop. But then it looks like we had a fuel pump or a fuel pick up problem because we lost fuel pressure and the car came to a halt. It's difficult to make much meaningful comment about Jenson's race as he went out so early on."

Dr Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director)

"After a brilliant start of the season we've now experienced our first double retirement. Jenson's car clearly suffered an engine failure and Ralf had some problems with the fuel pick up. We have to analyse both cases, now. In spite of these disappointments, our weekend was quite encouraging as both cars here in Imola were reasonably close to the pace. Best of all, Ralf was well within the points zone. In the race he even recorded the fourth quickest lap time. Before the British Grand Prix we have a lot of work to do. No doubt: we will focus on improving our reliability."

The BMW WilliamsF1 Team will be testing in Silverstone from Tuesday 11th until Friday 14th April. Both of the team's race drivers will be on duty.