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Formula One: BMW Williams F1 Monaco GP race report

5 June 2000

4th June 2000
Monaco Grand Prix - RACE

Weather: Sunny. Average temperature 24°C

In a very incident packed race, neither of the BMW WilliamsF1 Team
cars saw the chequered flag. Jenson Button had an early end to his
race when on the 17th lap he was called into the pit because the
engine lost oil. Ralf Schumacher had a very good start gaining three
positions, but his race ended when he crashed into the barrier at the
Sainte Devote corner, wounding his left calf with a 7 cm cut. He was
taken to the Princess Grace Hospital in Monte Carlo for further
checking. At the time of his crash he was running in 4th position.

Ralf Schumacher
    DNF
Chassis:
         FW22 05
Best Time:
         1:23.769 on lap 35 
"I don't actually know where this injury came from. After crashing into
the barrier I jumped out and did not look at the damaged car. I went
off the circuit when I came to the Sainte Devote corner, Hakkinen was
coming off the pits and I went on the left side of the track to 'overtake
him but the line was dirty there and I didn't manage to brake
sufficiently and finished in the barrier."

Jenson Button
    DNF
Chassis:
         FW22 01
Best Time:
         1:25,740 on lap 14 
"After the first start I was keeping my position but when I came out of
the Loews corner, De La Rosa tried to go around the outside which
did not work because there is not enough room for two cars down
there as it is very narrow. Without sufficient room we made contact
and the race was stopped. At the restart we had to start from the pit
lane and I was running 19th. About four laps before I retired when I
went on the gas the engine revs would fall and I would lose power, so
I was running half throttle. Then I was called in by the pitwall."

Frank Williams 
"We were looking forward to a sensible race being competitive but
also keeping out of trouble. Jenson had an engine oil leak, but we are
not sure yet from where. I am anxious to hear about Ralf's injury,
hoping that it's not serious and I am looking forward to speaking to
him this evening."

Dr Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director)
"It was a very incident-packed race and it's a real shame that we
contributed to this. Ralf started very well and moved up to 4th and
was in the running for a podium place. I hope he recovers soon from
this accident. With regards to the engine tuning we made some
further progress. We will analyse as soon as possible the cause of
Jenson's T-car engine losing oil." 

The BMW WilliamsF1 Team will be testing in Monza from Tuesday 6th
to Thursday 8th June. Jenson Button and Bruno Junqueira will be on
duty.