European Grand Prix at Nürburgring Preview - June 27-29 2003

Munich, June 20, 2003 ... The ninth round of the Formula One season brings the
BMW WilliamsF1 Team back to Europe and the infamous Nürburgring. Set in
Germany's Eifel region, the historic track combines tradition as well as
modernization following modifications made to the circuit last year to meet
revised safety standards. However, driver and machine are still faced with the
ultimate circuit challenges of balance, brake stability and traction all need
to be mastered and perfected in order to secure victory.

The team's recent qualifying and race performances in Monaco and Canada reflect
a relative upsurge in the competitiveness of the FW25 - one that the team hope
to maintain and develop for next weekend's race in order to consolidate their
positions in the Drivers and Constructor's Championships.

Ralf Schumacher:
"I am really looking forward to going to the Nürburgring for next weekend's
race partly because it is so close to Kerpen, where I grew up, but mainly
because the FW25 is continually improving and producing good results. This has
obviously been hugely motivating for everyone in the team as well as for
myself."

"When I was younger I used to go to the Nürburgring as often as I could though
now it's hard to believe that F1 cars used to race here before all the recent
track modifications. There never used to be run off areas around the 20
kilometer lap so I imagine it was pretty terrifying to race a Formula One car
there. I've raced at the Nürburgring seventeen times in my career with my first
win in 1993 in a BMW powered Formula Junior car. Formula One podiums have been
elusive but I'm hoping the recent developments we've made to the car will
change that and I can come away with a good result."

Juan Pablo Montoya:
"The motivation within the team is better than ever at the moment after our
encouraging performances in the last couple of races. Winning definitely
creates a better atmosphere, which you could almost feel at the Silverstone
test this week, and also provides a great environment to produce more good
results."

"We're therefore heading to Germany with an optimistic attitude - I especially
enjoy this race as it's a great driver's circuit. Since the changes made for
last year's race, there are more overtaking opportunities making it a more
interesting race to drive as well as providing a better spectacle for the fans.
Last year Ralf and I started from the front row of the grid and two years ago I
came second, so I'm fairly confident we can achieve another solid finish."

Sam Michael (WilliamsF1, Chief Operations Engineer):
"Nürburgring is a maximum downforce circuit with really only one high speed
section so good traction and slow speed grip are crucial. The Eifel is also
notorious for its variable weather conditions - and often the decisive factor
of the outcome of the race - so tire selection is critical."

"With relatively few overtaking opportunities, the race could very well be won
or lost in the pits, choosing the best strategy is therefore essential. We've
obviously made some headway with the FW25 - our recent increase in pace clearly
demonstrates that - so we're fairly confident we can maintain the momentum
throughout the European rounds and convert those improvements into points."

Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):
"The home race at the Nürburgring is naturally a special event for us. We are
particularly keen therefore to continue our recent success there. The Eifel
circuit places very different demands on the chassis than Monte Carlo and
Montreal. If our car is quick next weekend, we will have validated the progress
of the development work over the past few months. The BMW P83 also faces
another tough test at this race. But I am confident that this is the
strongest BMW engine yet and has also surpassed its predecessors in terms of
reliability."

Facts and figures

* Despite extensive modifications made to the circuit for the 2002 Grand Prix,
further alterations have been made to the final chicane as well as to the exit
of the Mercedes Arena for this year's event. Consequently, the circuit has been
lengthened by three meters, increasing length to 5.148 kilometers.

* The Grand Prix circuit is located next to the old Formula One track - known
as the North Loop - which boasts a gruelling lap distance of 22.83 kilometers.
However, following Niki Lauda's horrific accident in 1976, the track's F1
licence was revoked and the Grand Prix was subsequently removed from the
calendar on safety grounds.

* Today, touring car races are still held on the North Loop and members of the
general public can pay a fee to drive a few laps in a private car on most days
of the year.

* To date, WilliamsF1 have secured victory twice at the Nürburgring, both with
Jacques Villeneuve in 1996 and 1997.

* In 2002, BMW WilliamsF1 drivers Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya lined
up on the front row of the grid with Montoya on pole. However, Juan Pablo
recorded a DNF following a collision with David Coulthard whilst lying in
fourth place leaving Ralf as the sole point scorer for the team crossing the
finishing line in fourth.

* In 1993, Ralf Schumacher won his first Formula race on the Nürburgring
driving a Formula BMW Junior - that remains his only win on the circuit to
date.

* The European Grand Prix was the first Formula One race to be held on the new
track in 1984. The last German Grand Prix to be hosted at the Nürburgring was
in 1985. A total of twenty-three German Grand Prix, seven European Grand Prix
and two Luxembourg Grand Prix have been held on the circuit.

* The management of the Nürburgring are anticipating 300,000 spectators over
the race weekend.

* The 2003 European Grand Prix will consist of 60 laps with a race distance of
308.863 kilometers. The race commences at 2:00 PM, local time, on Sunday June
29, 2003.
The BMW WilliamsF1 Team is currently third in the FIA Formula One World
Championship Constructors' standings with 64 points

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