BMW WilliamsF1 Team - San Marino GP - Preview

After a promising start to the year, the beginning of the European season
presents a new set of challenges for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team in order to
retain its lead in the FIA World Championship. WilliamsF1 however has a
noteworthy record as a constructor at Imola with eight race wins since
1980, as against McLaren's six victories and Ferrari's three over the same
period. More significantly, in 2001, the San Marino circuit was the venue
for the first win for the BMW and WilliamsF1 partnership, and the occasion
also marked Ralf Schumacher's maiden GP victory.

Ralf Schumacher:
"To be perfectly honest, I would like to claim a victory that I missed in
Brazil. The San Marino track suits me, with lots of fast parts, and of
course last season I achieved my first victory there, so there is no reason
why we shouldn't be very competitive again. In any case, Ferrari showed at
Interlagos that their new car is quicker than the old one, so we must do
our best and work hard for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team to be successful in
Imola."

Juan Pablo Montoya:
"San Marino is a good track. I was quite unlucky last year, as I could have
done better, I think, but it was a wet weekend and I lost a lot of track
time. Generally, though, Italians are nice people and there's a great
atmosphere there. It's good to be back racing in Europe after all the
travelling in March. It's more relaxing, especially as do not have any long
flights for a while. After the first three races of this season, we are
quite confident we can continue our positive run in Imola, as the track,
and hopefully the weather conditions, should suit our package."

Sam Michael (Chief Operations Engineer, WilliamsF1):
"At this time of the year, the weather at San Marino can be cold and wet.
It is a circuit that rewards downforce, engine power and a mechanical setup
for curbs. With medium to high speed corners, a couple of chicanes and a
lot of braking, it is a challenge for the driver. Traction is also a
significant issue.

"Although the strategy tends towards multi-stop, it is open and variations
should make for an interesting race. It was good to see the qualifying grid
a lot closer in Brazil which adds to the spectacle. Michelin took a very
good tyre to the last race in Brazil and produced a race winner last year
at Imola. With the steps they have taken since then I'm sure we will be in
a competitive position."

Gerhard Berger (BMW Motorsport Director):
"After celebrating the partnership's first F1 victory in Imola last year as
well as achieving very good results so far this season, we are naturally
looking forward to the San Marino Grand Prix. Last year we got on very well
with the circuit. It has uphill sections where the power of our engine pays
dividends. Michelin was also very well prepared for Imola at its first
attempt, and the balance and set-up of the car was another positive factor.
Despite all of these advantages, it will be very hard to beat the new
Ferrari at home. But we beat them last year here and we will try it again.

"Although several changes to the track were made some years ago, Imola is
still an interesting circuit with a good atmosphere. It has fast corners
that make high demands on the aerodynamic performance of the car. Recently
commentary about Michael Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya has dominated
the headlines, but next week this will be replaced by good sport again."




The 62 lap race at the 4.933km Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari commences at
1400hrs local, 1500hrs GMT. Ralf Schumacher (WilliamsF1 BMW FW23) holds the
lap record of 1.25.524, set in 2001. The circuit itself is steeped in
history and first hosted a Formula One race eleven years after its opening
in 1952. It was dedicated to Dino Ferrari in 1970, and Enzo's name was
added to its official title after his death in 1988.

Media Notice:
The launch of the new BMW WilliamsF1 Team merchandising line, attended by
Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher will take place on Thursday, April
11 at 8pm in the Paradiso Club, via Covignano No 260 in Rimini. Media will
be welcome to attend and entrance will be granted on presentation of a
Formula One media pass (permanent or race by race).


        Ralf Schumacher #5      Juan Pablo Montoya #6
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       4
Wins    4       1
Points (total)  151     45
Fastest laps    6       5


2002     Qualifying     Race    Qualifying      Race
GP Australien 3rd       accident        6th     2nd
GP Malaysia     4th     1st     2nd     2nd
GP Brazil       3rd     2nd     1st     5th


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