F1: Ralf underlines importance of winter testing

By Nikki Reynolds, F1 Editor - Motorsport.com

Ralf Schumacher has underlined the importance of winter testing and
especially the period in the run up to Christmas. Williams began its winter
test programme at Valencia in Spain last week with Schumacher, teammate Juan
Pablo Montoya and team test driver Marc Gené all on duty. 

@photo:left:filename:f1-2003-can-bp-0313.jpg @@
"The test period ahead of Christmas is terribly important since the course
towards a successful season is already being determined now," said
Schumacher. "The BMW WilliamsF1 Team, for example, successfully proved in
2003 that you can start with a bad car and still compete for the World
Championship."

Williams did not have the best of starts to the 2003 season but heading into
the Autumn the team was leading the constructors' standings. Ferrari managed
to claim the title by the end of the season but Schumacher Junior thinks
putting in the winter work will hopefully lead to Williams claiming the
championship next year.

"We missed the start of last season, that's why we didn't secure the World
Championship title," he sad. "At the end of the season, we were even a tad
better than Ferrari. So, if we deliver good work in winter we should be able
to fight for the World Championship title. That's, of course, what I want."

Williams continues testing in Spain this week, at Jerez, where Schumacher
and Gené will be joined by Nico Rosberg and Nelson Piquet Junior for
evaluation tests. The FW26 is due to be launched at the Valencia circuit on
January 5th. 




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