02/12/2004
NEWS STORY
The BMW WilliamsF1 Team completed a three day test at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in southern Spain today.
The team was represented by Mark Webber, Antonio Pizzonia and Nick Heidfeld over the three days, all of whom carried out component development work on the interim FW26s. Despite unfavorable weather conditions, in particular a lack of dry running, the drivers managed to bank a considerable amount of track time, therefore securing valuable data from the car's new variables.
Combined, Webber, Pizzonia and Heidfeld completed a total of 506 laps of the Jerez circuit, a distance of 2,241 kilometers over the three day period. Mark and Antonio also recorded the two quickest times of the test. The BMW WilliamsF1 Team will return to Jerez on 8th December for another three day test, the last test of this year.
Tim Newton (Test Team Manager): After a rather troublesome test in Barcelona last week, we've made good progress this week in Jerez. Mark, Antonio and Nick all did a good job with the interim cars and, despite some rather inclement weather, all three recorded impressive mileage. On his fist outing with the team, Nick settled in well and gave us some productive feedback. Credit must be given to everyone, both at the factory and at the track, who have worked hard over the past week to rectify the teething problems encountered in Barcelona. As a result, we've had a relatively trouble-free, and therefore productive, test.
Nick Heidfeld: I'm really happy with the two days I've had in the car. It's a very nice car to drive, and I was getting more familiar with it lap by lap. I think I would have benefited from some more time, and better weather to get a proper feel of how the car handles in the dry. Overall though, it's been a very productive and satisfying test.