23 April: San Marino Grand Prix - Saturday Qualifying Report - Williams BMW
Weather:
overcast, dry. Air 19-20°C, Track 22-34°C
In a very close first qualifying session that saw ten cars finish within one
second of each other, Mark Webber set the fourth fastest time and Nick Heidfeld was the ninth quickest, providing the BMW WilliamsF1
Team drivers with two good starting positions for tomorrow's final qualifying.
Mark Webber: 4th (1.20,442 min) Chassis:
FW27 05 / P84/5 engine: 2 GP I am pleased to have set the fourth fastest time. From my perspective, I didn't make any mistakes
across the lap, but I could have done better in the first sector because I feel I braked too early for turn one, but I had a very
good last sector, which balanced the lap. Thanks to the team who did a great job and prepared my car really well.
Nick
Heidfeld: 9th (1.20,807 min) Chassis: FW27 04 (T-car FW27 02) / P84/5 engine: 1 GP I had to go out quite early for my
qualifying lap, when track conditions were not ideal. My lap was average but I lost a bit of grip towards the end, but it was
reassuring that I didn't experience any back problems at all today. I feel that my muscles have fully recovered after the problem I
experienced during testing.
Sam Michael (Technical Director, WilliamsF1): It was a reasonable first qualifying for
us. There is not much difference between the top drivers' lap times so it will be tight tomorrow in second qualifying. The track
temperatures on Sunday morning will play a big part. The FW27 is making good progress and handling well around the Imola circuit,
especially over the curbs.
Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director): We are relatively happy with our result today.
Nick had to go out on track earlier than Mark and set good split times until the end of the second sector. Unfortunately he lacked
of grip towards the end of his lap. Track conditions were good when Mark had his run. His lap was flawless and he deserves his good
fourth position.
