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Formula One: Italian GP race review: BMW Williams F1 Team

11 September 2000

Italian Grand Prix - RACE
         Monza, 10th September 2000

Weather: Sunny and dry. Av. air temp. 32C. Av. track temp.  23C.

A mixed result for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team: Ralf Schumacher
achieved his third podium of this season while Jenson Button's race
lasted just ten laps.

Ralf Schumacher 
Position: 3rd  
Chassis:
         FW22 02 
    Best Time:
    1:26.636 on lap 49 (4th)
"My joy would be great but it's shaded by the fact that somebody who
was working to protect our lives has been accidentally involved. We
were lucky at the start by not being caught up in the accident, where I
am glad to know that none of the drivers involved was hurt. Overall we
proved again that we are the third team of the championship, which is
our target for this season. The car has been good all over the weekend. I
am also happy about my brother being first. During the race the team
told me over the radio that Zonta and Verstappen who were quicker at
the start were light  - with little fuel - so I wasn't worrying too much
about them. "

Jenson Button 
Position: DNF
Chassis:
         FW22 04
"When the light of the safety car went off Michael Schumacher slowed
down - which is normal - and then he accelerated away and then he
slowed the car down again, I don't know why. I had nowhere to go,
everyone was spread across the circuit and I finished on the grass in
order not to hit Villeneuve's car. I hit the barrier and obviously damaged
the car because when I turned into the Parabolica I went straight on."

Frank Williams
"This was a very solid race by Ralf and an unfortunate accident for
Jenson. It was a strong performance by BMW on a circuit which is very
hard on the engine. The team made a brilliant pit stop to get Ralf ahead
of Jos Verstappen. This would have been a happy day for the team but
our condolences and thoughts must go to the family and relatives of the
marshal who was seriously injured today."

Gerhard Berger (BMW Motorsport Director)
"We are happy to be on the podium for the second consecutive time. 
This is an outstanding result which we didn't expect to achieve starting
seventh on the grid. It's also great that Michael has won in his Ferrari
and has turned Monza into a party. On the other side it makes us very
sad that this race has been tainted by a sad accident."

TEST: The BMW WilliamsF1 Team will be testing in Estoril from Monday
11th to Wednesday 13th September. Ralf Schumacher will be on duty
for the first day with test driver Bruno Junqueira taking over for the
remaining two days.