Ralf Schumacher and test driver Marc Gené made the most of ideal weather
conditions at the Jerez Circuit as the five day test got underway.

The BMW WilliamsF1 Team returned to Jerez today, having previously run here
following the launch of the WilliamsF1 BMW FW26 at Valencia in early
January. Conditions were almost perfect, with blue skies, bright sunshine and
temperatures reaching 23°C.

Ralf and Marc were both running the FW26, both drivers working on almost
identical programmes, concentrating on set-ups in the morning and tyre
compound evaluations for Michelin in the afternoon.

Ralf completed 83 laps with a best time of 1:17.311, while Marc, who
completed 71 laps, was just 0.040 seconds slower.

Tim Newton (Test Team Manager, WilliamsF1):

"Ralf and Marc were on hand
today to undertake testing duties for our first day at Jerez. Both drivers
concentrated on set-up work of the FW26, Ralf in the 03 chassis and Marc in
the 02. During the day, they completed some systems checks as well as doing
tyre testing with Michelin. Tomorrow Juan Pablo will join Ralf to complete
further set-up work on the new car."

-williams-


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