BMW WilliamsF1 Team-Italian GP-Final qualifying

Italian Grand Prix  -  FINAL QUALIFYING
13th September 2003

Weather: Sunny, dry. Air temperature 25°C Track temperature 46°C

Monza (ITA). Juan Pablo Montoya will start Sundayıs Italian Grand Prix from
second position on the grid while Marc Gené claimed the fifth grid position
for tomorrowıs race. The Spaniard, Marc Gené, stood in for Ralf Schumacher
who is still suffering the consequences of the crash he sustained last week
when testing on the Monza circuit. After running yesterday in Free Practice
and First Qualifying, this morning Ralf decided together with the Team and
the FIAıs Medical Delegate, that he would withdraw from the GP weekend.

Juan Pablo Montoya:    2nd
Chassis: FW25 06
Best time: 1:21,014min
I had a pretty good lap and saw the first two sector times o the dash that
confirmed I was quickest. But then I had quite a lot of understeer, and I
made a small mistake at Ascari when I went too wide, but I could not afford
to be conservative. I believe we have a very good car and strong tyres for
the race tomorrow even if I am starting from the dirty side of the track.
Marc did an amazing job especially as he started first, and the track
improved a lot during the session. I am looking forward to the race.

Marc Gené:    5th  
Chassis:  FW25 07 
Best time: 1:21,834 min
I thought I was still dreaming this morning when I was woken by a surprising
call telling me that I was standing in for Ralf. I was fortunate to test on
this track last week. It is also beneficial that besides my job of test
driver, I have been busy racing in other series and I therefore have plenty
of race practice.  I hope I can support the team here in their battle for
the Championship and I am sure that Ralf will be okay for the next race.
However, my qualifying lap wasnıt the best ever as I made a couple of
mistakes in the first and second chicanes, but my best qualifying in F1 so
far was 15th on the grid.

Sam Michael (Chief Operations Engineer, WilliamsF1):
It was a good qualifying session for the team. Juan produced a good lap,
despite a little mistake in Ascari, which cost him pole position and he is
well placed for the race tomorrow. Marc did a fantastic job today after
jumping into the car at short notice.

Gerhard Berger (BMW Motorsport Director):
It was the anticipated close dual between Ferrari and ourselves, and this
will continue in the race. Michael Schumacher and Juan Pablo are separated
by just a fraction and Kimi Räikkönen is close behind ready to pounce. I am
curious to know what fuel level each driver was carrying. Every test driver
hopes to get the chance to compete in a race, even if on very short notice
such as Marcıs call-up this morning. Now is his chance to use this
opportunity and he made an excellent job of it in qualifying.

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