Williams interview with Gene

During pre-season testing the foundation for a successful season is laid down. BMW WilliamsF1 Team test driver, Marc Gen?, explains more about his responsibilities.

Q: Marc, you competed in your first Grand Prix for the team last year at Monza. What did that experience mean to you?

Marc Gen?: It was obviously a great experience, one that I'll never forget. If you're lucky enough to be given a chance like that you have to make the most of it and I think I did. I managed to qualify in fifth despite a couple of mistakes into the first and second chicanes, but that was my highest grid position in my Formula One career so I was happy.

In the race, my main objective was to drive a solid race and avoid making any mistakes. Apart from losing some places in an incident with Jarno Trulli at the start, I ended the race in fifth place, and scored some points for the team, which I was really happy about.

Q: You completed an impressive 24,000 testing kilometres last year. What part of your testing duties do you derive the most satisfaction from?

MG: What I enjoy most is doing tyre tests, especially trying out soft compounds because they allow me to put in some really fast laps. I also enjoy research projects -- innovations where nobody knows whether they will ever come to fruition. That involves very close, intensive work with the engineers.

Q: Which is the best test circuit?

MG: For me it's Barcelona, without a doubt. On the one hand because it's my home track and I can sleep in my own bed and have breakfast at home! But on the other hand, it's because the Circuit de Catalunya offers all kinds of challenging corners, which makes it a real drivers' circuit. Beyond that, it is well equipped and an organised and efficient place to get work done.

Q: You obviously have to compare your testing notes with Ralf and Juan Pablo, how does that work?

MG: If I think something we have discovered at a test is very important, I'll ring them up. But usually we'll get together on the Thursday or Friday before a Grand Prix. Then I tell them, for example, which tyres were particularly good or how they perform on different parts of the circuit.

Q: Who comes closer to your driving style - Montoya or Schumacher?

MG: There isn't a great deal of difference. Every driver aims for neutral handling during the set-up work, avoiding both under and oversteer. We always end up with very similar results. Perhaps Juan, who has a more aggressive style, is better at handling slight oversteer.

-williams-

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