BMW WilliamsF1 Team - Le Castellet Test
PAUL RICARD TEST 8th 11th April 2003 Summary: The BMW WilliamsF1 Team concluded its first test at the Paul Ricard Circuit since 1998. After an initial period of familiarisation, the circuit provided the ideal venue for the programme of preparation for the European race season which commences at Imola on 18th/19th/20th April. The four-day test was beset with poor weather including cold conditions and rain. However, this provided useful conditions for the forthcoming San Marino Grand Prix which is often staged in similar climatic circumstances. The team concentrated on chassis set-up and aero work with Marc Gené and Ralf Schumacher. Sam Michael (Chief Operations Engineer, WilliamsF1): "This week we tested at the rebuilt Paul Ricard circuit in the south of France. It is a fantastic circuit with great facilities. "Marc and Ralf started off the test and Olivier took over from Ralf on the last day. We had wet and dry weather and managed to complete a lot of testing on tyres, setup, TC, brakes and engines. " We have found two good tyre compounds that suit our car to take to Imola GP, so we have taken a step forward there as well." Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director): "In Brazil we already used the latest engine specification of the BMW P83 in the race, we now have been concentrating on the engine's set-up in Paul Ricard. However, the test was focussed on further developments of the chassis and tyres, which we have supported." Paul Ricard daily best times (number of laps), best lap time of the day in bold: Pos Driver/Car Tyre 08.04.03 09.04.03 10.04.03 11.04.03 1 Marc Gené BMW WilliamsF1 Team M 1:08.209 53 1:27.653 38 1:08.717 93 1:07.073 72 2 Kimi Raikkonen West McLaren Mercedes M - 1:29.539 30 1:08.393 87 1:07.729 87 3 Alex Wurz West McLaren Mercedes M - 1:27.571 14 1:08.337 113 1:07.814 118 4 David Coulthard West McLaren Mercedes M - 1:31.315 7 1:08.019 123 - 5 Jacques Villeneuve Lucky Strike BAR Honda B - 1:44.102 18 1:08.199 134 - 6 Ricardo Zonta Panasonic Toyota Racing M 1:08.277 108 - - 1:08.288 101 7 Ralf Schumacher BMW WilliamsF1 Team M 1:08.454 81 1:30.127 16 1:08.403 86 - 8 Pedro de la Rosa West McLaren Mercedes M - - - 1:08.526 78 9 Cristiano da Matta Panasonic Toyota Racing M - - 1:08.590 98 1:08.902 62 10 Jenson Button Lucky Strike BAR Honda B - - - 1:08.669 73 11 Olivier Panis Panasonic Toyota Racing M 1:09.233 49 1:42.117 5 1:09.969 45 - 12 Olivier Beretta BMW WilliamsF1 Team M - - - 1:09.762 49