Williams Jerez test notes 2004-02-13

BMW WilliamsF1 Team drivers Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya topped the timesheets today as the test at Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, continued. Once again, conditions were perfect with temperatures reaching a balmy 23°C.

With only four teams on duty, the track was a little less congested today. Ralf made the best of the ideal conditions and set the fastest time of the week. The German, at the wheel of the WilliamsF1 BMW FW26, concentrated on mechanical set-ups, carrying out a number of long runs. Ralf completed 65 laps with a best time of 1:16.907.

Juan Pablo, also running an FW26, carried out a number of short runs, focusing on mechanical set-ups in addition to evaluating various new aerodynamic and mechanical components. The Colombian completed 39 laps, posting a best time just 0.355 seconds slower than his team-mate.

Sam Michael (Chief Operations Engineer, WilliamsF1):

"Ralf spent the day doing long runs, despite encountering a few problems with the gearbox, he did successfully evaluate the race spec fuel system for Melbourne. Juan spent the session doing traction control work and tyre testing but unfortunately suffered with a gearbox problem as well."

Testing continues at Jerez tomorrow, when the track will be artificially flooded to allow wet tyre testing in connection with Michelin.

-williams-