BMW WilliamsF1 Team-European GP-Preview
European Grand Prix 27/28/29 June 2003 PREVIEW The tenth round of the Formula One season brings the BMW WilliamsF1 Team back to Europe and the infamous Nürburgring. Set in Germany¹s Eifel region, the historic track combines tradition as well as modernisation following modifications made to the circuit last year to meet revised safety standards. However, driver and machine are still faced with the ultimate circuit challenges of balance, brake stability and traction all need to be mastered and perfected in order to secure victory. The team¹s recent qualifying and race performances in Monaco and Canada reflect a relative upsurge in the competitiveness of the FW25 one that the team hope to maintain and develop for next weekend¹s race in order to consolidate their positions in the Drivers and Constructor¹s Championships. Ralf Schumacher: "I am really looking forward to going to the Nürburgring for next weekend¹s race partly because it is so close to Kerpen, where I grew up, but mainly because the FW25 is continually improving and producing good results. This has obviously been hugely motivating for everyone in the team as well as for myself. "When I was younger I used to go to the Nürburgring as often as I could, though now it¹s hard to believe that F1 cars used to race here before all the recent track modifications. There never used to be run off areas around the 20 kilometre lap so I imagine it was pretty terrifying to race a Formula One car there. I¹ve raced at the Nürburgring seventeen times in my career with my first win in 1993 in a BMW powered Formula Junior car. Formula One podiums have been elusive but I¹m hoping the recent developments we¹ve made to the car will change that and I can come away with a good result." Juan Pablo Montoya: "The motivation within the team is better than ever at the moment after our encouraging performances in the last couple of races. Winning definitely creates a better atmosphere, which you could almost feel at the Silverstone test this week, and also provides a great environment to produce more good results. "We¹re therefore heading to Germany with an optimistic attitude I especially enjoy this race as it¹s a great driver¹s circuit. Since the changes made for last year¹s race, there are more overtaking opportunities making it a more interesting race to drive as well as providing a better spectacle for the fans. Last year Ralf and I started from the front row of the grid and two years ago I came second, so I¹m fairly confident we can achieve another solid finish." Sam Michael (WilliamsF1, Chief Operations Engineer): "Nürburgring is a maximum downforce circuit with really only one high speed section so good traction and slow speed grip are crucial. The Eifel is also notorious for its variable weather conditions and often the decisive factor of the outcome of the race so tyre selection is critical. "With relatively few overtaking opportunities, the race could very well be won or lost in the pits, choosing the best strategy is therefore essential. We¹ve obviously made some headway with the FW25 our recent increase in pace clearly demonstrates that so we¹re fairly confident we can maintain the momentum throughout the European rounds and convert those improvements into points." Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director): "The home race at the Nürburgring is naturally a special event for us. We are particularly keen therefore to continue our recent success there. The Eifel circuit places very different demands on the chassis than Monte Carlo and Montreal. If our car is quick next weekend, we will have validated the progress of the development work over the past few months. The BMW P83 also faces another tough test at this race. But I am confident that this is the strongest BMW engine yet and has also surpassed its predecessors in terms of reliability." Facts and figures … Despite extensive modifications made to the circuit for the 2002 Grand Prix, further alterations have been made to the final chicane as well as to the exit of the Mercedes Arena for this year¹s event. Consequently, the circuit has been lengthened by three metres creating a lap of 5.148 kilometres. … The Grand Prix circuit is located next to the old Formula One track known as the North Loop which boasts a gruelling lap distance of 22.83 kilometres. However, following Niki Lauda¹s horrific accident in 1976, the track¹s F1 licence was revoked and the Grand Prix was subsequently removed from the calendar on safety grounds. … Today, touring car races are still held on the North Loop and members of the general public can pay a fee to drive a few laps in a private car on most days of the year. … To date, WilliamsF1 have secured victory twice at the Nürburgring, both with Jacques Villeneuve in 1996 and 1997. … In 2002, BMW WilliamsF1 drivers Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya lined up on the front row of the grid with Montoya on pole. However, Juan Pablo recorded a DNF following a collision with David Coulthard whilst lying in fourth place leaving Ralf as the sole point scorer for the team crossing the finishing line in fourth. … In 1993, Ralf Schumacher won his first Formula race on the Nürburgring driving a Formula BMW Junior - that remains his only win on the circuit to date. … The European Grand Prix was the first Formula One race to be held on the new track in 1984. The last German Grand Prix to be hosted at the Nürburgring was in 1985. A total of twenty-three German Grand Prix, seven European Grand Prix and two Luxembourg Grand Prix have been held on the circuit. … The management of the Nürburgring are anticipating 300,000 spectators over the race weekend. … The 2003 European Grand Prix will consist of 60 laps with a race distance of 308.863 kilometre. The race commences at 1400 hours on Sunday 29 June. Juan Pablo Montoya #3 Ralf Schumacher #4 DOB 20/09/75 Bogota (COL) 30/06/75 Hürth (DEU) Nationality Colombian German Residence Monte Carlo (MCO) Salzburg (AUT) Marital status Married to Connie Married to Cora, one son (David) Height 1.68 m 1.78 m Weight 72 kg 73 kg F1 debut 2001, Melbourne 1997, Melbourne GP starts 42 108 Poles 10 3 Wins 2 (01 ITA, 03 MCO) 4 (01 SMR, CAN, DEU, 02 MYS) Points (total) 112 210 Points 2003 31 (5th) 33 (4th) Fastest laps 6 6 2003 Qualifying Race Points Qualifying Race Points Australian GP 3 2 8 9 8 1 Malaysian GP 8 12 0 17 4 5 Brazilian GP 9 DNF 0 6 7 2 San Marino GP 4 7 2 2 4 5 Spanish GP 9 4 5 7 5 4 Austrian GP 3 DNF 0 10 6 3 Monaco GP 3 1 10 1 4 5 Canadian GP 2 3 6 1 2 8 The BMW WilliamsF1 Team is currently third in the FIA Formula One World Championship Constructors¹ standings with 64 points