Spanish Grand Prix - PREVIEW

BMW's reliability work on the engine since Imola and a well-balanced chassis
from WilliamsF1 combined to give the BMW WilliamsF1 Team its most convincing
showing to date at the last Grand Prix at Silverstone where Ralf Schumacher and
Jenson Button finished 4th and 5th respectively. Since then, the team has spent
three days testing at the Circuit de Catalunya in preparation for the Spanish
Grand Prix - the fifth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship.

Statistically speaking, Ralf is so far the only driver to have scored points
three times this season, beaten only by his brother Michael who has generated
points on four occasions. On the reliability side, the BMW WilliamsF1 Team is
presently listed fourth in terms of race mileage achieved.

The Circuit de Catalunya is the most technically advanced track on the Formula
One calendar. The purpose built arena provides variety with scope for
overtaking amid its fast and slow sections, with the sweeping right hander at
the end of the long start-finish straight the favourite. Opened for action in
1991, the circuit has since provided an annual test of skill and speed.

Gerhard Berger (BMW Motorsport Director)
"This extremely good start in Formula One with the BMW WilliamsF1 Team
achieving points in three races out of four, produced a very positive response
at BMW, which strengthend our F1 crew even more. But we should not become too
euphoric. We are proud of our current third position in the constructors'
championship, but this does not change our aim. Our set goal is to repeat the
fifth place which WilliamsF1 achieved in 1999. We will face harder times. The
teams hot on our tail are not resting, which was evident during the latest test
in Barcelona. From my time as a driver I remember more than well how difficult
it is for a team to be consistantly successfull."

Ralf Schumacher
"After our successful race weekend at Silverstone, I am quite optimistic about
the Spanish Grand Prix. In an effort to be well prepared, the BMW WilliamsF1
Team completed today a three-day test programme in Barcelona. Jenson drove on
Wednesday and Thursday and I got behind the wheel on Thursday and today.

The Circuit de Catalunya boasts a mix of high and low speed, long and short
corners especially turn three, a 180 degree fourth gear corner with an exit
speed of around 160 mph. You also have to find the correct turn in point to
generate the highest speed through the corner, but at the same time you must
take care of the left front tyre. The track has a high grip surface and
generally is hard on tyres. Traction is also an important factor with no fewer
than six corners being taken in second gear. Overall, the FW22 is getting
better and better and we are optimistically looking forward to Barcelona."

Jenson Button
"It's been quite a week since the British Grand Prix. No sooner had the
chequered flag been waved at Silverstone and it was time to leave for testing
in Barcelona. I have been testing at the Circuit de Catalunya two days in
preparation for next week's race and this was very valuable for me because I
needed to accumulate some good mileage on this track, which I have no
experience of, as I have never raced here before. Given how good the FW22
feels, I'm quite excited about the Spanish Grand Prix. The demanding fast
corners and a long high speed straight makes this race a real test but at the
same time I love the atmosphere in Spain and this will help."

· The 65 lap Spanish Grand Prix gets underway at 14:00hrs local time (12:00 GMT
time). A total distance of 191,04 miles (307.450 km) will be covered on the
2.939 mile (4.730 km) circuit.
· The 1m22.242s lap record is held by Giancarlo Fisichella and was set in 1997
(Benetton)
· In 1999, the Spanish Grand Prix was won by McLaren-Mercedes - with Mika
Häkkinen the winner and David Coulthard coming second. Ferrari's Michael
Schumacher finished the race in third place. The only significant overtaking
move was from Damon Hill in the Jordan-Mugen, who took Rubens Barrichello's
Stewart-Ford - on lap 63

**Please find further information in the attached download document**