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Formula One: BMW Williams F1 Spanish GP race report

7 May 2000

Spanish Grand Prix -- RACE
         Barcelona, 7th May 2000

Weather: Dry, sunny. Average temperature 22 C.

Another valuable fourth position for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team was
achieved by the skilled Ralf Schumacher who made a brilliant start to
this Spanish Grand Prix from his 5th position on the grid, immediately
gaining two places. Jenson Button could not finish his race, as he
suffered an engine failure when he was in sixth position having started
in 11th, with only three laps to go.

Ralf Schumacher
Chassis:        FW22 06
Best Time:  1:25.326 on lap 25 (7th)
Position:       4th
"I had a very good start and until the second pit-stop could control
both Coulthard and Barrichello. After this I tried to brake later than
Coulthard in the first corner but it didn't work and I dropped to third
position. I would prefer to watch the video of Barrichello overtaking
me before saying anything about this manoeuvre. I am happy with my
fourth place as it means three more points for the BMW WilliamsF1
Team in the Constructors' Championship."

Jenson Button
Chassis:        FW22 05
Best Time:  1:24.729 on lap 20 (4th)
Position:       DNF
"The final result doesn't really matter to me even if I was just two and a
half laps from the end, because this was a very good race.  In a future
race I might grab the point I lost today.  More important to me was
having the speed on this track. I found this circuit very difficult in
qualifying but in the race I was quick, at last.  I really enjoyed my start
and I hope it's going to be the same in the next races but the best
moment was jumping the Jordan in the pit stop. "

Frank Williams
"Another fine performance, better than we expected maybe. 
Disappointing for Jenson.  But another encouraging day for us."

Patrick Head (Technical Director WilliamsF1)
"One can see things in two different ways, with Ralf thinking that he
might have been able to hold on to a slightly higher position and
obviously a disappointment for Jenson.  But at this stage of the year
with a new engine, to finish fairly close up behind two McLarens and
one Ferrari is not too bad really but obviously we want to do better in
the future."

Gerhard Berger (BMW Motorsport Director)
"This was again an outstanding performance of the whole team.  We
have strengthened a little bit more our third position in the
Constructors' Championship even if it could have gone a little bit
better.  It's a pity that Ralf lost a position from Coulthard so narrowly.
The manoeuvre with his brother was interesting for the public, no
doubt, but not that much for us.  Jenson ran a great race and retired
due to a major engine failure.  It hurts, of course, to lose a point when
there are still three laps to go but I am convinced that he will have
more occasions to collect points. After all, we cannot complain, for
sure!"