BMW WilliamsF1 Team - Brazilian GP - Preview
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From: BMW Media <HHientzsch@aol.com>
To: Judy Stropus <jstropus@earthlink.net>
Subject: BMW WilliamsF1 Team - Brazilian GP - Preview
Date: Fri, Mar 22, 2002, 2:07 PM
Brazilian Grand Prix -- 29/30/31 March 2002 ñ PREVIEW
Malaysia's 16 points haul for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team marked the very first
one-two lock-out for BMW in Formula One, and was a welcome reminder for
WilliamsF1 of the success of the 1996 season when the pairing of Villeneuve
and Hill claimed no less than six one-two finishes. Six seasons further on
however, a pragmatic mood dominates the team's preparations for the
Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos. Despite strong qualifying form in
Brazil last year, the team came away empty-handed and are only too aware of
the challenge that the heat and undulation of the Sao Paulo circuit
presents. However, with tyre, engine and chassis development showing form
in Malaysia and a productive test between races at Barcelona, the BMW
WilliamsF1 Team is eager to capitalise on its current form.
Ralf Schumacher:
"I strongly believe that in Brazil we can beat Ferrari again. Last year
Juan was going to win the race if Jos Verstappen hadn't run into him. And
last week in Malaysia, we were even closer to Maranello's cars than the
year before, therefore why shouldn't it work again in Brazil? We like the
Interlagos track, even if it isn't easy to find a compromise between not
being slow on the straights but quick enough through the infield. After
testing in Barcelona, where we have tried out a couple of small aerodynamic
changes, I am pretty confident about racing in Brazil."
Juan Pablo Montoya:
"It's a good circuit, bumpy and difficult in character. There's a very
Latin atmosphere there, which I obviously enjoy very much. It's good fun.
Last year I was very close to scoring my first points in Formula One, but
Jos Verstappen put an early end to my chances. I hope this year I can make
up for the lost opportunity, especially because last season we were
stronger at Interlagos than in Malaysia. I am confident we will have a good
run in Brazil. There will be probably more fans of mine out there, even if
I don't really feel this Grand Prix is my home race."
Sam Michael (Chief Operations Engineer, WilliamsF1):
"Sao Paulo's Interlagos circuit has been the scene of exciting driver and
strategy battles over the past few years. The circuit is dominated by slow
to medium speed corners and straights. There are two high speed corners but
they are followed by short runs to another corner, so the gains to be had
are not large. The circuit has traditionally been a bumpy one, but less so
after resurfacing in recent years.
"Strategy is always interesting at Interlagos with such a long pit lane,
but the circuit provides plenty of overtaking opportunities, so I am sure
we will see the normal mix of one and two stop plans. After the strong
showing of our chassis, engine and tyre package in Malaysia, we are
confident of performing well in Brazil, but are also very aware that other
teams' development can quickly catch up or get ahead. As in Malaysia,
Michelin will take another step forward with tyre developments as a result
of the last three weeks of testing."
Gerhard Berger (BMW Motorsport Director):
"After the one-two victory in Malaysia we are very much looking forward to
Brazil. The Interlagos circuit layout suits our engine quite well; two
straights, especially the uphill start/finish section, require engine
power. The track has a lot of bumps that we have coped with quite well in
the past. The Malaysian GP has shown that high temperatures also suit our
Michelin tyres, and also our BMW engine did cope with this demanding
requirement as well. We expect high temperatures in Brazil as well, even
though there is always a chance of rain. In 2001, we performed strongly in
qualifying, with Ralf on the front row for the first time. And we performed
well in the race too. Juan was leading for half the race distance, but both
drivers got involved in accidents. However, we have the potential to reach
the podium in Interlagos, so hopefully we have a little more luck this
year."
The Interlagos Circuit:
The Interlagos circuit, opened in 1940 and was an unusual configuration at
this time by virtue of combining a sweeping outer section with a tight and
twisty infield. The track itself is set in a natural amphitheatre,
affording an excellent view of over half the circuit, which is a favourite
with the passionate Brazilian race fans. The track underwent significant
re-modelling in 1989/90, to provide a 2.678m/4.309km circuit, which was
resurfaced in 2000 in a bid to reduce the adverse effects of the climate on
the asphalt surface. One of Interlagosí peculiarities is that it is one of
only two anti-clockwise tracks during the season, which requires some
additional fortification of driver's neck muscles in preparation.
In 2001, the BMW WilliamsF1 Team showed strongly and qualified on the front
two rows of the grid, Ralf in 2nd sharing the front row with brother
Michael, and Juan Pablo starting from 4th. However, both drivers were hit
from behind, Schumacher by Barrichello and Montoya by Verstappen, resulting
in a frustrating pair of DNFs from a weekend that had promised so much.
David Coulthard went on to win the race for McLaren, while Michael
Schumacher holds the lap record at 1m14.755s, recorded in 2000. The 2002
Brazilian Grand Prix commences at 1400hrs local, 1800hrs GMT, on Sunday
March 31 for 71 laps ( 190.124m/305.909km).
Notes:
The BMW WilliamsF1 Team's Brazilian test driver, Antonio Pizzonia, will be
available for media questions and TV interviews on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. at
the back of the team's garage.
Silvia Hoffer, WilliamsF1 Press Officer, has new contact details: mobile
+44 7977 27 5838, fax +44 1235 77 4444
Ralf Schumacher Juan Pablo Montoya
DOB 30/06/75 - H¸rth (DEU) 20/09/75 - Bogota (COL)
Nationality German Colombian
Residence Salzburg (AUT) Monte Carlo (MCO)
Marital status Married to Cora, one son (David) Engaged to Connie
Freydell
Height 1.78 m 1.68 m
Weight 73 kg 72 kg
F1 debut 1997, Melbourne 2001, Melbourne
Poles 1 3
Wins 4 2001 Imola, Montreal, Hockenheim 12001 Monza
Points (total) 145 43
Fastest laps 6 4
2002 Qualifying Race Qualifying Race
GP Australia 3rd Accident 6th 2nd
GP Malaysia 4th 1st 2nd 2nd
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