Canadian GP preview - BMW WilliamsF1 Team

Canadian Grand Prix - PREVIEW
1st June 2001

The BMW WilliamsF1 Team goes to the Canadian Grand Prix determined to put the 
disappointments of the last two races behind it, and optimistic results of 
two positive tests in Magny-Cours and Monza this week will help with the 
reliability of the FW23s. Both tests were held in hot conditions, which were 
experienced last year in Canada for practice and qualifying, but not the 
race. While Magny-Cours was used to decide on car set-up and tyre compounds 
for the French Grand Prix, Monza was the ideal venue for testing for 
Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve where low downforce and a powerful 
engine are needed for achieving the ultimate straight-line speed and good 
brakes are important. The last time the team won in Canada was in 1996 with 
Damon Hill, and before that notched up a further five victories in the 32 
Canadian Grands Prix run to date.

Ralf Schumacher
"The Canadian track is quite similar to Melbourne, only with less run-off 
areas in some fast sections. There are also two overtaking opportunities. On 
the negative side, this is a heavy circuit on brakes. I think the Circuit 
Gilles Villeneuve could be pretty favourable to our car as we have a powerful 
engine, which is essential there. It's not particularly demanding on the 
drivers, as it is basically a 'stop-and-go' track. I like Montreal and I am 
looking forward to being there, hoping this time I will be able to finish my 
race and be in the points."

Juan Pablo Montoya
"I have never been to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve so it is completely 
unknown to me. In view of this I cannot say if it will suit my driving style, 
I need to have at least a bunch of laps under my belt before commenting on 
that. In Canada I am sure I will meet some old friends from last year when I 
raced in the USA, which is obviously nice, but still I know I will have to 
concentrate on my job. Top priority for me is seeing the chequered flag, 
which I failed to do too many times so far."

Frank Williams
"The Montreal circuit is an interesting one from many points of view but most 
importantly it affords several potential overtaking opportunities per lap: a 
rare event in itself. The city too is quite interesting and can provide some 
quite racy fun in the evenings I am told!"

Dr. Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director)
"We have achieved very positive results in both the Monza and Magny-Cours 
tests. In the last few weeks we have been working not only on engine and car 
performance, but also on reliability. Happily the characteristics of the 
Canadian track are favorable for our team. After two accidents that were not 
our fault, four drivers' mistakes and five technical failures, we hope we can 
improve our disappointing record of three race finishes out of 14 starts. We 
want to come back from Canada with some points in the bag."

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

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Sylvia Proudfoot
spur07@cs.com
403 287 3945