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FORMULA 1: BMW Williams F1 Team unveils FW23

28 January 2001

The BMW WilliamsF1 Team today unveiled its 2001 challenger, the
FW23, at the Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire (UK). The FW23
will contest the 2001 season with a clear target to close the gap
against the established front runners and to defend the team's third
place in the FIA Formula One Constructors World Championship. A
team led by Geoff Willis (Chief aerodynamicist) and Gavin Fisher (Chief
Designer) designed the chassis that is being powered by a new BMW
10 engine. Drivers Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya will
contest the 2001 season with test driver Marc Gene playing an
important role in the FW23's development over the course of the year.

"Much is expected of the partnership in 2001 and everybody at the
BMW WilliamsF1 Team is aware of this important responsibility," says
Frank Williams, Team Principal. 

For 2001 the BMW WilliamsF1 Team have the challenge of new
aerodynamic limitations (the largest change since '97), significantly
more rigorous structural and impact tests, a new engine and a new
tyre partner in Michelin. Geoff Willis explains: "The FW23 is, in
concept, an evolution of the FW22 with developments and
improvements for the new engine installation and gearbox and a large
number of changes reflecting the impact of the new regulations."

Patrick Head, Technical Director of WilliamsF1, goes on to add: "The
FW23 will build on the progress made over the last two years and
have a visual similarity to the successful FW22 2000 car. The
aerodynamics of the car have been optimised around the new
regulations, and we hope that this car and engine will permit our
drivers to challenge for race wins in 2001." 

"It is highly unlikely that we will be able to completely close the gap
with the established front-runners in our second season with
WilliamsF1," says BMW Motorsport Director Gerhard Berger. "But we
want to improve our performance so as to be ready and waiting to
pounce as soon as one of the Ferraris or McLaren-Mercedes run into
problems."

 BMW Motorsport Director Dr Mario Theissen underlines the big step
his group of engineers has made: "The new V10 is smaller, lighter and
more powerful than last year's engine. Last summer it was running on
the dyno for the first time and since December has been running in
the car permanently. Engineers are never satisfied but I have to admit
that I feel better now than before the start of the 2000 season."

"We had a reasonably successful season, particularly consider ing it
was our first with BMW," says Gavin Fisher. "However, it was clear that
we still needed to make considerable progress to regularly compete
with, and ultimately beat the top teams."