06/06/2005
NEWS STORY
After a strong run of performances resulting in back-to-back podium wins, the BMW WilliamsF1 Team travels to North America for the Canadian and US Grands Prix on successive weekends.
The move to the North American continent brings with it a change in the complexion to low downforce, high power race circuits which may alter the current form guide. Montreal remains both a firm favourite with drivers and holds good memories for the Anglo-German partnership having won there in 2001.
Nick Heidfeld: "I'm looking forward to going to Canada, not only because it's such a good race track, but also because I like the city and the people. The circuit will present a new challenge this year because the organisers have just re-surfaced it, so no-one really knows what to expect. We will have new parts on the car, again, so I hope they will work well and I also hope Michelin will again provide us with a good tyre choice."
Mark Webber: "Montreal reminds me of Melbourne in many ways as the city really welcomes and embraces the Grand Prix every year. The track itself has a street circuit feel to it as there are plenty of walls around it and is very challenging for the driver. There's always a great atmosphere in the city, and at the circuit, and I know all the teams enjoy going there.
"Montreal is a track that requires good braking and traction performance, as well as lots of horsepower from the engine for the long straight. To help achieve the top speed, we need to run a different downforce level to that which we've been using on the tracks we've visited so far this year. This race has been a fairly happy hunting ground for WilliamsF1 in the past and, although I didn't finish the race there last year, I had a points finish in 2003. I'm looking forward to the race and I hope we can continue the points-scoring run the team is enjoying at the moment."
Sam Michael (Technical Director, WilliamsF1): "Traditionally, heading to the double header in America marks the half way point in the championship. We are going to Montreal after podium results in Monaco and Nürburgring, and with a successful test this week at Silverstone under our belts.
"Montreal is a lower drag circuit, dominated by straights between a lot of slow corners and chicanes. There are two good overtaking opportunities, and the circuit is the hardest on brake wear and temperatures. We have brought a number of aerodynamic upgrades to the car, in the form of front and rear wings and some bodywork parts, all a result of the ongoing development programme for the FW27. A lot of further investigation by BMW and WilliamsF1 has gone into our starts so we hope to improve upon the current situation."
Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director): "We are hoping to continue our recent successes in Canada. In the past, the car has always been suited to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, although the long straights will place extreme demands on the reliability and performance of the BMW P84/5 engine. Based on our 2004 data, we recorded the third highest speed of 343.2 km/h during the race in Montreal, we only topped that at Monza and at Indianapolis. The longest flat-out section is 955 metres, and the full-throttle ratio over a complete lap averages at 55 percent. Leaves falling from the trees, however, present a certain risk as they can block the radiator. Other than that, we do not expect any unusual thermal loads. Even in summer weather, the engines should still get sufficient cooling air on the straights.
"The atmosphere at the Canadian Grand Prix is always something special, firstly because the paddock and the race track are in such a picturesque setting, and secondly because the whole city comes out to welcome Formula One. There are always plenty of events laid on over the race weekend, which include the BMW M Night, for which a street in the downtown area is closed off on Saturday night."