Williams Barcelona test notes 2004-02-04

Juan Pablo Montoya today joined Ralf Schumacher and test driver Marc Gené at Barcelona as the BMW WilliamsF1 Team continued its five day test programme.

Once again weather conditions were ideal as the Circuit de Catalunya basked in temperatures reaching 19°C.

Both Ralf and Juan Pablo had a WilliamsF1 BMW FW26 at their disposal. The German focused on aerodynamic and mechanical set-ups while his Colombian team-mate carried out a number of simulated pitstops. Ralf completed 51 laps, posting a best time of 1:14.677, while Juan Pablo completed 40 laps, with a best time of 1:15.592.

Marc, at the wheel of an FW25 fitted with last year's BMW P83 engine, worked on tyre compound evaluations with Michelin. The Spaniard completed 65 laps and set a best time just 0.319 seconds slower than Ralf.

The session was red-flagged in the morning when Sauber driver Felipe Massa crashed heavily at turn one. The Brazilian was airlifted to hospital as a preventive measure but was later released, the checks having revealed no injuries.

Sam Michael (Chief Operations Engineer, WilliamsF1):

"Today Juan Pablo joined the test and practised pitstops all day with the race team crew doing tyre changes and re-fuelling. Ralf spent his last day at the test continuing set-up work and systems runs. Marc was driving the FW25 today, doing tyre testing for Michelin and working on the car's electronic systems. He is also finished for this test. Juan Pablo and Antonio Pizzonia will drive the two FW26s for the remainder of the test while Nelson Piquet will drive the FW25 tomorrow."

Tomorrow Juan Pablo is joined by Nelson Piquet, while Antonio Pizzonia is scheduled to carry out a race simulation.

-williams-