BMW Williams F1 Team - Valencia Test Report

From:  BMW Media, hhientzsch@aol.com

VALENCIA TEST  ñ  20-22 February 2002

Summary
The BMW WilliamsF1 Team concluded a three day test in Valencia today which
marked the end of winter testing ahead of the first Grand Prix in Melbourne
next weekend. Many test team personnel have been working overseas
continuously since January 5, and have completed over 20,000km of evaluation
of the new chassis, the FW24, while frequently running a third interim
chassis to progress the assessments of new components for the 2002 season.
The significant effort of the test team since January has been matched by an
around-the-clock design, fabrication and manufacturing programme at both
Grove and Munich to provide a sufficient supply of new parts to run three
cars almost non-stop since the test ban was lifted on January 7.


Sam Michael (Chief Operations Engineer, WilliamsF1)
ìWe have come to the end of an extensive test session covering the last 7
weeks and using 3 circuits (Barcelona, Valencia and Estoril). A lot of
groundwork has been covered in terms of mileage covered and performance
evaluations undertaken. We have made good progress on improving our
reliability and have a clear picture of what problems we need to work on in
the short term. Aerodynamically and mechanically, we have improved the FW24,
particularly over the last two tests, and now we have to wait until
Melbourne to see precisely where we are. All of the test team have worked
long hours to ensure that we reach our targets and the contribution they
have made to our program is greatly appreciated.ì


Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director)
ìThe Valencia test marked the end of a true marathon for the BMW WilliamsF1
Team. Again we completed an extensive programme with two cars. With both of
them we have tested or respectively verified engine specifications for
Melbourne. We see ourselves as well prepared, even though one never can be
certain until race day."


Valencia daily best times (number of laps), best lap time of the day in bold

Driver/Car             Tyre   20.02.02        21.02.02          22.02.02
Coulthard/McLaren           M      1:13.416(22)       1:11.296(77)
1:10.438

Wurz/McLaren               M       1:12.569(67)       1:11.659(111)
1:11.615

GenÈ/BMW Williams           M      1:13.904(44)        1:12.826(94)
1:12.190

Montoya/BMW Williams        M       1:13.468(43)        1:12.751(77)


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