Spanish GP Saturday Williams notes

Ralf Schumacher and Jenson Button will start from 5th and 11th places respectively for the 2000 Spanish Grand Prix. Ralf today equalled his best qualifying position so far this season, which he achieved in San Marino.

Ralf Schumacher
Chassis: FW22 06
Fastest Lap: 1:21.605
Best Position: 5th

"I am very happy with today's qualifying result. I see it as a result of the consistent test work by BMW WilliamsF1 Team last week here in Barcelona. If someone had told us at the beginning of the season that at this race we would be only two tenths behind a Ferrari, we wouldn't have believed it. Now I am looking forward to tomorrow's race."

Jenson Button
Chassis: FW22 05
Fastest Lap: 1.22,385
Best Position: 11th

"It wasn't the best qualifying I've had so far but it wasn't the worst either as I am just outside the top 10. I am relatively pleased with my performance, especially after I found some difficulties in this morning's free practice. Obviously I have run on this track more than on some of those I have raced on so far, but it always takes a long time to learn a circuit properly, being a newcomer."

Frank Williams

"A very pleasing afternoon and a reasonably trouble-free day, encouraging for tomorrow."

Patrick Head (Technical Director WilliamsF1)

"A very good result for Ralf. It's pleasing that we are not as far away from the McLarens and the Ferraris as before, particularly for this circuit. Jenson is in amongst a very, very close group and a few tenths of a second would have made a big difference but then it's the same for everybody in that group. So there is quite a big difference between the grid positions of our two drivers. Still, we've managed to pick up points before from an 11th grid position."

Dr Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director)

"In Imola we achieved our best qualifying position being fifth, in Silverstone we were sixth and here we are fifth again. The speed and the consistency are for us an outstanding result. Both yesterday and today we didn't suffer any engine problems. Ralf was good and quick, which means that the package worked all right. Jenson is in the midfield with several other drivers who have small time differences and he could have been two positions ahead. Anyway, I see a good chance for him as well in tomorrow's race."