BMW WilliamsF1 Team-Italian GP-Preview
Italian Grand Prix - 13/14/15 September 2002 - PREVIEW Following a series of strong, but not race winning performances in the last couple of races, the BMW WilliamsF1 Team is looking forward to Monza. Last year the high-speed circuit witnessed Juan Pablo Montoya claim pole position and his debut victory in Formula One. Team-mate Ralf Schumacher joined him on the podium, having finished in third place. After an extensive period of testing at the Monza circuit last week, the team is eagerly anticipating taking the fight to Ferrari on their home territory. This is an important race as the BMW WilliamsF1 Team has the chance to consolidate second position in the 2002 FIA Formula One Constructor¹s Championship ahead of closest rivals, McLaren. Ralf Schumacher: "After Ferrari showed their superiority at Spa, I don't dare make any forecast about the Italian Grand Prix. Normally the high speed track is good for us, but we believed the same before the Belgian Grand Prix. Our priority must be to extend the lead ahead of our direct rivals, McLaren, and to secure second position in the Constructors' World Championship. We should be able to achieve this even though the Monza circuit is not among my favourite tracks. To me as a driver it is simply not demanding enough. It is full throttle on the straights and then hard on the brakes before the chicanes so there is not enough variety! During the test we had this week, we have made improvements to the car, so that we should prove competitive in Monza." Juan Pablo Montoya: "One year ago I had my first Formula One win at Monza, but it is looking increasingly difficult for us to achieve the same result this year. At Monza, we probably have one of our best chances to do well, but I think it's going to prove hard to beat Ferrari. We should be strong as our engine is powerful, which is a decisive factor here, but still we must be realistic. It seems at the moment with the equipment we have got that third place would equate to a win. However, we just finished a positive test on this circuit and this makes us confident for the race. One of the most important targets will be to get ahead of Rubens as it would be really good to take some points away from him." Sam Michael (Chief Operations Engineer, WilliamsF1): "Monza is a very low downforce circuit with four medium speed corners and chicanes that can be hard on the car during the race. As such, the mechanical set-up is geared towards the soft side to help the car over the curbs. In addition, braking stability is a major factor on this circuit as well because of the long braking periods with low downforce. "The recent test in Monza has been compromised by bad weather but it did give us an opportunity to assess the latest wet tyres from Michelin. The tyres appeared to be quite competitive and Michelin has taken a step forward. The two dry tyres that Michelin are taking to the race have been evaluated under different conditions, and should provide us with a competitive solution. "With the low wing levels and good engine power this is the easiest circuit on which the drivers can overtake. Depending on our qualifying position this may be the key to our pit stop strategy on race day." Gerhard Berger (BMW Motorsport Director) "With three races to go the advantage of a 29 point lead over McLaren would normally be enough to reach our target and finish the season in second place. Looking at the three circuits to come, it is Monza where we should have the best chance for a good result. It would really help to extend our advantage to 33 points and finally secure the second place. In terms of engine power we will bring another improvement to Monza and I am keen to see how our duel with McLaren will unfold. Apart from this, I have to say that Monza always has a great atmosphere, and I believe it will be even more special in such a strong season for Ferrari." Facts and Figures … Including last year¹s win by Juan Pablo Montoya, WilliamsF1 has six victories to its credit at the Monza circuit. For BMW, the 2001 victory was the second success as Nelson Piquet won in 1983 during his Championship winning year in the BMW powered Brabham. … The Monza circuit has hosted more Grand Prix events than any other circuit. The track opened in 1922 and celebrates its 80th anniversary this year. The 2002 race will be the 53rd Italian Grand Prix held at Monza with only the 1980 race being held at Imola. … The Monza circuit is situated in a Royal Park at the edge of the town, which itself is a suburb of Milan. Over the years numerous changes have been made to the circuit and in 2001, the first chicane was dramatically re-profiled, while minor changes were made to the chicane after Curva Grande. Originally the circuit had very steep banking and some of this can still be witnessed only a few hundred yards from the pits. For this year the Paddock and the podium have undergone renovations during the winter. The paddock has been broadened and the podium is now suspended over the start/finish straight. … The circuit is 3.600 miles (5.793 km) long and the 53 lap race will be 190.614 miles (306.764 km) long. … The lap record was set last year by Ralf Schumacher in an FW23 with a time of 1m 25.073s (245.140 km/h). Juan Pablo¹s 2001 pole time was 1m 22.216s (253.658 km/h). … At Monza, single stop strategies with a pit stop between lap 26 and 38 are common. Tyre degradation is classified as low to medium. … Juan Pablo Montoya and Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari) shared front row on last year¹s grid, newly crowned World Champion Michael Schumacher, and his brother Ralf lined up in second row. … Ralf Schumacher has an excellent record on the Monza circuit as he was fifth in his first Grand Prix in 1997, and has been on the podium for the past four years. Juan Pablo is contesting his second Grand Prix at Monza. … The 2001 Italian Grand Prix was not an altogether a happy event. Taking place just a few days after the terrorist attacks of September 11, the Formula One community remained in shock, in common with the rest of the world. BMW WilliamsF1 Team wore black arm bands in condolence. Under the circumstances, there was a debate about not staging the event or even changing the grid to a rolling start. However no agreement was reached among the drivers and the race went ahead as usual. The podium ceremony was not a traditional celebration as a mark of respect to those who had suffered in the terrible events of September 11th. … The 2002 race will start at 14.00 local time (12.00 GMT) on Sunday, 15th September. Ralf Schumacher #5 Juan Pablo Montoya #6 DOB 30/06/75 Hürth (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 GP starts 97 31 Poles 1 9 Wins 4 1 Points (total) 177 75 Points 2002 42 (4th) 44 (3rd) Fastest laps 6 6 2002 Qualifying Race Qualifying Race GP Australia 3rd accident 6th 2nd GP Malaysia 4th 1st 2nd 2nd GP Brazil 3rd 2nd 1st 5th GP San Marino 3rd 3rd 4th 4th GP Spain 3rd 11th 4th 2nd GP Austria 2nd 4th 4th 3rd GP Monaco 4th 3rd 1st Dnf GP Canada 4th 7th 1st Dnf GP Europe 2nd 4th 1st Dnf GP England 4th 8th 1st 3rd GP France 5th 5th 1st 4th GP Germany 2nd 3rd 4th 2nd GP Hungary 3rd 3rd 4th 11th GP Belgium 4th 5th 5th 3rd Reuters provides the BMW WilliamsF1 Team with graphics that are supplied copyright free for editorial use. These graphics are available for viewing at www.bmw.williamsf1.com. If you wish to use these graphics contact Stephanie Jordan at Reuters who will provide you with high resolution copies. E-mail: stephanie.jordan@reuters.com