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Formula One: Belgian GP free practice: BMW Williams F1

25 August 2000

Belgian Grand Prix - FREE PRACTICE
25th August 2000

Weather:  Sunny and warm.
Air temperature 22 C average. Track temperature 34 C average.

BMW WilliamsF1 Team drivers Ralf Schumacher and Jenson Button
were 12th and 13th respectively in the first free practice sessions for
the Belgian Grand Prix.

Ralf Schumacher
Chassis:
         FW22 02
T-Car Chassis:
    FW22 03
Best Time:
         1:55.209 
         Position:
    12th   
"Everything ran to schedule today, we tried what we had planned.
With regards to the engine we had no problem at all but we have
some work to do on the car set-up as we are struggling a bit in the
slow parts of the track."

Jenson Button
Chassis:
         FW22 04
Best Time:
         1:55.270
         Position:
    13th    
"It's simply amazing how different it is to run in an F1 car on this track.
I have raced here before in an F3 car, which is much slower of course.
The right word for it is 'outrageous'. With regards to today's job we
worked on race set-up and we are quite happy with it, even if you
cannot tell too much on Friday."

Patrick Head (Technical Director, WilliamsF1)
"We have spent this first day learning about the tyres and the way they
behave when they have done more laps. We have adjusted the car to
suit the tyres. This information is useful for the race but tonight we
have to think about completely different set-ups for getting the best
out of the tyres and the car in qualifying tomorrow. It's quite difficult
to overtake here, like most circuits these days, and a good grid
position is very important."

Gerhard Berger (BMW Motorsport Director)
"We had a trouble-free Friday practice, doing our homework for the
race. I don't think that today's times are an accurate reflection of the
field."