Austrian GP free practice - BMW WilliamsF1 Team

Austrian Grand Prix - FREE PRACTICE 11th May 2001

Weather: Dry and cloudy. Air temperature 17°C. Track temperature 24°C

The BMW WilliamsF1 Team drivers, Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya, had 
a trouble-free productive first day of practice in Austria. Although both 
drivers had minor off-track excursions, the cars were not damaged and they 
were both able to find the limits of the cars and the slippery track. Ralf 
was 4th and Juan Pablo 11th.

Ralf Schumacher: 4th
Chassis: FW23 05 (T-Car Chassis: FW23 01)
Best Time: 1:11.555
"I had a totally trouble-free practice today. We tried everything we wanted 
to and also made our tyre choice. However, I don't think it will be easy to 
get a top six grid position tomorrow, especially as the lap times of all the 
top runners are very close."

Juan Pablo Montoya : 11th
Chassis: FW23 02
Best Time: 1:12.299
"My main task today was to work on getting a race set-up for the car. We 
tried both the tyres available. I know the track well from Formula 3000, but 
obviously this was my first opportunity to drive here in a Formula One car. I 
had no problems so it is a good start to the weekend."

Patrick Head (Technical Director, WilliamsF1)
"We have done a useful day of homework for the race and now understand the 
car set-up we have to achieve for the tyres in both new and used conditions. 
Neither driver had any technical problems. I think the Valencia test was 
useful, particularly for verifying the traction control system we wish to 
run."

Dr. Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director)
"We were able to do a lot of running with both cars and from the lap times it 
is obvious we are well-prepared for the weekend after just the first day. The 
engines ran with no problems whatsoever and we used the traction control. 
Altogether we are satisfied with practice today and are looking forward to 
tomorrow's qualifying."

Media contact:

WilliamsF1
Silvia Hoffer
Tel: +39(0) 335 8018 283
silvia.hoffer@williamsf1.com

BMW
Guido Stalmann
Tel: +49(0) 170 5666 112
guido.stalmann@bmw.de

Current high-resolution photographs may be downloaded from the BMW Press Club 
at www.press.bmwgroup.com (registration at any time).

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Sylvia Proudfoot
spur07@cs.com
403 287 3945