BMW WilliamsF1Team-Belgium GP-Preview
Belgium Grand Prix - 30/31 August 1 September 2002 - PREVIEW The 2002 Belgian Grand Prix will provide the BMW WilliamsF1 Team with the perfect opportunity to dispel the difficult memories of last year's race on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. After the highs of securing a front row lock out in qualifying, the team struggled in a turbulent race in 2001 with both drivers' starts compromised by mechanical problems. The open and fast track provides the perfect venue for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team to cement its intentions of staying clear of nearest rivals, McLaren, while improving its performances to present a real challenge to Ferrari over the closing races of the season. The scenic track situated in the Ardennes forest Spa-Francorchamps also presents the drivers with the most exciting corner on the F1 calendar the Eau Rouge, along with high speed straights and coupled with unpredictable weather conditions it can prove to be a tough adversary. It is a large contrast to the short, narrow and hot Hungaroring. The BMW WilliamsF1 Team had a great advantage in 2001 and will be looking for a decisive result. Ralf Schumacher: "I am really hoping that in Spa we will have a more exciting race than in Budapest, although I have to say under the circumstances, I was really happy with the outcome in Hungary. I must admit that I am going to Spa with mixed feelings. I am looking forward to the many fast sections of the track that suit our car very well, but on the other hand I believe this circuit is not up-to-date particularly in the run-off areas. The once popular Eau Rouge corner has lost a bit of its glamour. Today you can drive it without any concern, as the cars remain stable. There are certainly other corners in F1 that raise my heartbeat higher." Juan Pablo Montoya: "Spa is definitely one of my favourite tracks. It's a quick and challenging circuit and this good combination makes it stand out and exciting to drive especially as it a long circuit with a variety of different corners so there is a large emphasis on driver skills. The qualifying session is tricky because you need an all-round balance of everything working together. Of course Eau Rouge is a true test! I did take it flat three or four times last year. In the rain this track becomes even more risky because you lose so much visibility especially when you are behind somebody and following in their spray. I think it should be a good circuit for our package, particularly if it is dry. Next weekend is definitely a race I am looking forward to." Sam Michael (Chief Operations Engineer, WilliamsF1): "Spa-Francorchamps is a challenging circuit for the drivers with a combination of high, medium and slow speed corners. Due to the undulation in the circuit, the cars need to be stiffer than normal to avoid hitting the ground as they travel through Eau Rouge. To get the right downforce level is important, as is the mechanical setup as the engineers also have to allow for the curbs in the first part of the bus stop chicane. "Our normal weekend program should identify the best tyre to take. It will be a harder decision than normal due to the fluctuating weather conditions that are always part of the Spa circuit. "Race strategy is more uncertain now because the circuit has been changed at the bus stop chicane, so the entry to the pits appears to take longer. This always makes the strategy tend towards less pitstops, but it is something we will be evaluating on Friday." Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director): "In Budapest we have been able to build our claim for second place in the championship. Finishing second this year is our goal and given there are just four more races to go our chances are not too bad to achieve this. Everybody is looking forward to racing at Spa-Francorchamps. It is a true driver¹ circuit and also a highlight for spectators. Spa is one of the last character circuits and for me as I am from the Eifel region it is also a kind of a home race. We feel well prepared with our engines and there will be no major modifications for Spa. The weather in the Ardennes has proved to be quite unstable, which will play its role in our tyre choice. One fact is guaranteed that we cannot expect hot conditions like Budapest." Facts and Figures … The Spa-Francorchamps circuit has hosted 36 of the 48 Belgian Grands Prix. In 1920 the idea of taking advantage of the triangle drawn by the roads connecting Malmedy, Stavelot and Francorchamps to make a racing track was born. Ready by August 1921, the first race for cars could unfortunately not take place as only one competitor was registered. Eventually, the track was inaugurated by the motorcyclists, second the car racing followed a year later in 1922. … 1924 saw the first 24 Hours of Francorchamps. The first big international race for single-seaters, the European Grand Prix, was run in 1925. Seven cars took part in this event which was won by famous Alfa Romeo driver, Antonio Ascari. … Due to World War II, racing activities stopped until 1947. In 1970, the last Grand Prix took place on the former 14 kilometre long track. As a consequence of increased performance of the cars it had become too dangerous. The seven-kilometre-long track was opened in 1979. Measuring exactly 6,968 kilometres, the Belgium race track is the longest on the current F1 calendar. … Today the most famous corner is Eau Rouge. This left-right-combination is located in a depression and notorious for catching out the unwary and the brave. In the past drivers have had massive accidents there as it is a sweeping curve that challenges over confident drivers to take it flat. … Other famous parts are the high speed section "Blanchimont", the narrow "Bus-Stop-Chicane" or "La Source", the hairpin which was the venue of the biggest multiple pile-up of F1 history back in 1998. … In 2001 the BMW WilliamsF1 Team had a perfect qualifying with Juan Pablo Montoya recording pole position with a lap of 1m 52,072s by choosing slicks at the ideal moment in the changeable weather. Ralf Schumacher claimed second place on the grid. Expectations were high. But what followed was a race full of misfortunes which saw the team walk away empty-handed. Several starts were necessary to get the 2001 Belgian Grand Prix underway. At the second start to the formation lap, Juan Pablo stood still on the grid with a stalled engine and had to line up in last row. Then the race had to be interrupted and restarted after a massive accident involving Brazilian Luciano Burti. The team then decided to change the rear wing on Ralf¹s car on the grid when the mechanics were surprised by a 3-minute signal instead of the expected 5-minute signal. The work could not been completed in time and Ralf¹s car was still on jacks when the field started for the green flag lap. Finally Ralf Schumacher finished the race in seventh place, while Juan Pablo Montoya was forced to retire due to an engine failure. … Before 2001 Ralf came second in 1998, fifth in 1999 and third in 2000. Juan Pablo is facing just his second F1 race at Spa. WilliamsF1 has four wins to its credit on this circuit. … Michael Schumacher for Ferrari won the 2001 Grand Prix and also set the lap record of 1m 49.758s. … Tyre degradation is supposed to be quite high in Spa. The traditional pit-stop windows are between lap 22 and lap 25 for a one stop strategy. A two stopper would require services between laps 15 to 19 and between laps 28 to 34. … The race will start at 14.00 local time (12.00 BST) on Sunday, 1st September 2002. Ralf Schumacher #5 Juan Pablo Montoya #6 DOB 30/06/75 Hürth (DEU) 20/09/75 - Bogota (COL) Nationality German Colombian Residence Salzburg (AUT) Monte Carlo (MCO) Marital status Married to Cora, one son (David) Engaged to Connie Freydell Height 1.78 m 1.68 m Weight 73 kg 72 kg F1 debut 1997, Melbourne 2001, Melbourne Poles 1 9 Wins 4 1 Points (total) 175 71 Points 2002 40 40 Fastest laps 6 6 2002 Qualifying Race Qualifying Race GP Australia 3rd accident 6th 2nd GP Malaysia 4th 1st 2nd 2nd GP Brazil 3rd 2nd 1st 5th GP San Marino 3rd 3rd 4th 4th GP Spain 3rd 11th 4th 2nd GP Austria 2nd 4th 4th 3rd GP Monaco 4th 3rd 1st Dnf GP Canada 4th 7th 1st Dnf GP Europe 2nd 4th 1st Dnf GP England 4th 8th 1st 3rd GP France 5th 5th 1st 4th GP Germany 2nd 3rd 4th 2nd GP Hungary 3rd 3rd 4th 11th