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FORMULA ONE: BMW WilliamsF1 European GP qualifying report

20 May 2000

Europe Grand Prix -- QUALIFYING
20th May 2000

Weather: Dry at the beginning, light rain at the end. Average
temperature 9° C

Ralf Schumacher and Jenson Button will start from 5th and 11th
places respectively for the 2000 European Grand Prix.  Ralf has now
achieved P5 on three occasions so far this season, the other two being
in San Marino and in Spain.  Jenson was unable to run during the
second free practice hour because of a spin during the first practice
session which damaged his FW22.
 
Ralf Schumacher
Chassis:
         FW22 05
Fastest Lap:
         1:18.515
         Best Position: 5th 
"We are satisfied with the result. Unfortunately with the third set of
tyres we went out a little bit too late, because it started raining again.
The tarmac dries quite quickly on this track and we waited as long as
possible before going out, hoping that it would be dry enough to set a
better time. Obviously everybody thought the same and in the last few
minutes there was a lot of traffic. I am quite optimistic about
tomorrow's race because the car feels pretty competitive." 

Jenson Button
Chassis:
         FW22 04
Fastest Lap:
         1.18,887
         Best Position: 11th 
"I am a little bit disappointed that I never managed to get a clear lap in
at the end of qualifying after loosing completely the second session of
free practice this morning. We've still got tomorrow to go and I am
looking forward to starting my 50th race since I gratuated from karts
to cars." 

Frank Williams
"The times were very, very close in the middle of the field. Jenson got
the timing for his last run just right and jumped three tenths which
gained him only one place. A welcome improvement in his grid
position but clearly we were looking for a little more."

Gerhard Berger (BMW Motorsport Director)
"With regards to technical matters, the day has run smoothly and
Ralf's fifth position reflects our present performance level. Our timing
with such changing weather conditions was not particularly lucky.
When Ralf drove out of the box the track hadn't enough grip but
nevertheless he was third at that time. Then the track improved and
this was where the lowest lap times were set. But when Ralf wanted to
go out it started raining again. After recording an excellent first
position yesterday, Jenson was taken out of his rhythm after spinning
and going off the track in the morning. But he showed again what he
is capable of doing, when at the very end of the qualifying hour he still
managed to improve his time."