FORMULA ONE: Both BMW Williams F1 drivers see checkered flag in European GP

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

June 25, 2001

Both BMW WilliamsF1 Team drivers took the chequered flag for the first time this season in the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.They also both scored points with Juan Pablo Montoya coming second, for the second time this season, and Ralf Schumacher fourth. Ralf lost a certain second place when he was awarded a ten-second stop-and-go penalty for crossing the white line at the exit to the pit lane.

• Juan Pablo Montoya Position: 2nd
• Chassis: FW23 06
• Best Time: 1:18.354 on lap 27 - New Lap Record

"The car was really competitive today. Yesterday was good in qualifying, so I got third, and today things turned my way and I had some good luck. The first few laps of the race I took it really steady. I knew Ralf and Michael were going to go so I knew it was better to pick the pace up slowly.The car was very positive and there was room in it to go quicker when I needed it and the tyres were really good and very consistent all race so I was very pleased with them. A big thank you to everyone in the BMW WilliamsF1 Team for a good car and great pit stops."

• Ralf Schumacher Position: 4th
• Chassis: FW23 05
• Best Time: 1:18.498 2nd fastest on lap 54

"I am extremely disappointed about the outcome of the race as I had a chance to win in front of my home crowd. However, under the circumstances I have to be happy with fourth. As for the white line incident, I was looking in my mirrors when I left and pits and obviously concentrated more on the traffic behind me than the line. I have to accept the penalty."

Patrick Head (Technical Director, WilliamsF1)

"It's a good result for the team, especially with both cars finishing in the points. It is great to see Juan Pablo up front again and finishing after a couple of bad races. Ralf make a small mistake, it is disappointing but we have to respect the rules."

Dr. Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director)

"We are pleased with second and fourth and I am especially happy that Juan Pablo scored six points in a race with no mistakes. We have 37 points at the mid-season mark, one more than in the whole of the 2000 season. It's a pity the fight for the win was over with Ralf's penalty, but we have to obey the rules, and I think this one is important for safety reasons."

Text provided by BMW

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