BMW WilliamsF1 Team-San Marino GP-Final qualifying

San Marino Grand Prix  -  FINAL QUALIFYING
19th April 2003

Weather: Sunny, dry, 19°C Air, 26°C Track

Imola (ITA). For the first time this season the BMW WilliamsF1 Team made it
onto the front row with Ralf Schumacher qualifying second for the San Marino
Grand Prix in Imola. Next to him his brother Michael will start from pole
position. Juan Pablo Montoya qualified  fourth fastest and will share the
second row with Rubens Barrichello in the second Ferrari.

Ralf Schumacher: 2nd
Chassis: Spare Car FW25 02
Best time: 1.22,341 min
"After the first sector, where I was not very fast, I thought my qualifying
lap was compromised, but then surprisingly I made it. I must say thanks to
the t-car team as they did a very good job getting my car ready which I had
to use after the mistake I made this morning. We have been very strong so
far here and I hope the weekend continues like this."

Juan Pablo Montoya: 4th
Chassis: FW25 04
Best time: 1.22,789 min
"My qualifying lap was compromised by some understeer which also caused  me
to go slightly off track at the Acque Minerali, where I definitely lost the
time I needed to achieve a better position.  The second row is still a very
good place to start the race from, even if tomorrow my grid position will be
on the dirtier side of the track."

Sam Michael (Chief Operations Engineer, WilliamsF1):
"It is a shame to have just missed the pole position. However, we are
pleased with the positions we have achieved in the final qualifying. The car
has improved a lot and credit should be given to the aero department and the
factory for making this possible. It was a good job from Ralf. After the
accident that he had this morning he had to take the spare car, which did
not have all the latest parts. It was also a good effort by Juan, and we are
really looking forward to tomorrow¹s race now."

Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):
"We have been very close to Ferrari in the qualifying. Our team looks to be
very strong on the ScuderiaŒs home ground. Two years ago we were celebrating
here in Imola the first victory of our partnership, and the circuit seems to
suit our new car as well. It was an exciting qualifying session. In the end
the World Champion took pole position from us by just  a fraction. The FW25
has improved considerably. We are in a good position for the race and hope
to show our performance over a race distance as well."

Current pictures are available for download at: www.press.bmw.com