QUOTES BEFORE SEASON OPENER: 2003

QUOTE BMW / WILLIAMS (M THEISSEN): " ... The fact that we have managed to test the BMW P83 quite early on the test bench as well as in the car enabled us to undertake a very intense winter test programme. The P83 is an entirely new engine, which should once again set the benchmark in F1 for power, weight and centre of gravity ... We are currently concentrating our efforts on the reliability of the engine, which has become a more important consideration due to the new rules. In Melbourne we will, for the first time, have to run the same engines in the race which have been extremely stressed in qualifying. This makes extraordinary demands on the engine, the effects of which are still very difficult to calculate. Because of the late introduction of this rule, we are developing an understanding of the implications of the regulation change on the test bench, as well as on the car during testing .... "

QUOTE R SCHUMACHER (WILLIAMS): "... I don't think it has ever been so difficult to predict the outcome of a season's opening race. I think the consequences of the rule changes will have a more decisive effect than which team has the fastest car ... I genuinely have no idea who will be ahead. All I know is that we have been working very hard on our car in order to make it as competitive as possible. We are in good shape, but it will take time until we have developed the full potential of the new chassis. Regardless, I am happy that the season is finally starting. I always look forward to Australia and to Melbourne and I really like staying in the city, even if it is only for a few days ... "

QUOTE MONTOYA (WILLIAMS): " ... I start the season with a great deal of optimism. We have been testing a lot during the winter and have arrived at what I believe is a good stage of preparation ... I do think though that whatever each team has done over the winter, nothing really tells you where you are until the first GP weekend, and this season, the new rules will add some more uncertainty. I like the idea of one-shot qualifying ... "

QUOTE JORDAN (E JORDAN): " ... I'm looking forward to the start of a new season, which I hope will bring exciting and entertaining racing. The EJ13 and our partnership with Ford Cosworth is a great package and, combined with a strong driver line-up, Jordan Ford is a force to be reckoned with. The teams who have had to weather difficult times have learnt important skills from that experience and will be better placed for the future. With that in mind I would like to thank my staff for their hard work and commitment in recent months ... "

QUOTE JAGUAR (D PITCHFORTH): " .. The team has been working tirelessly in preparation for the season's opening race. Two hours of testing on a Friday will provide the drivers and team with a better understanding of track conditions and subsequently, a better understanding of our set-up options for the weekend ahead. Because Antonio (Pizzonia) is unfamiliar with many of the race tracks on the calendar, the decision to opt for the two-hour Friday testing should prove invaluable for his familiarity. During this time, we will also be working very closely indeed with our partner Michelin in an effort to fully understand the potential of the tyres .... "

QUOTE WEBBER (JAGUAR): " ... Many weeks of testing and development work will be put to the test and our first impressions will be generated on Friday morning from the two-hour testing opportunity. We will use these two-hours to work on set-up, balance, tyres and understanding fully the track conditions around Albert Park - weather permitting, of course! Given the somewhat unpredictable variables that have been generated by the new rules, it will be impossible to predict the potential of our competitors and having the two extra hours under our belt will hopefully strengthen our preparation going into race day ... The weather in Melbourne hasn't been anywhere near as hot as in previous years and changes in the climate will make a significant impact on everyone's performance. All in all, my home race promises to be exiting and given the home support around me, I will be aiming to put on the best show I can for both my team and those fans that helped carry me to 5th place last year ... "

QUOTE BAR (D RICHARDS): " .... There is no doubt that 2003 is going to be an extraordinarily challenging year for us as we strive to make a major leap forward. I firmly believe that in the BAR Honda 005 we have a car that will regularly qualify in the top ten and, in turn, translate that into regular points and podium finishes ... We completed our Winter test programme in Imola last week where, after a number of reliability concerns in previous weeks, we finally started to see things come together in full Melbourne spec. All the fundamental elements are there; we have good inherent speed and Honda have made progress with the new engine. Our primary concern will be a recurrence of recent reliability issues so, first and foremost, we'll be looking to get both cars home then hoping to pick up points along the way ..... "

QUOTE VILLENEUVE (BAR HONDA): "...The race in Australia (opening race) is good fun. The track is great; it's a long lap with a series of straights and heavy braking and I really enjoy racing there. It should be even more exciting this year with all the new rule changes. One-lap qualifying is going to be fantastic. It will be interesting to see what happens over the race weekend in Melbourne. I'm looking forward to it as this will be our chance to find out how competitive we are .... "

QUOTE HONDA / BAR (S NAKAMOTO): " .... We have had a really busy winter test programme in 2003. We have learnt a lot and as always with testing we've had some good days and some not so good! Honda has set aggressive engine performance and weight targets for Melbourne and our plan is on schedule. I am therefore confident of achieving a good performance platform for the season ahead. All in all I am looking forward to Melbourne because it will be great to be racing again .... "

QUOTE RENAULT (M GASCOYNE): " ... We finished today our pre-Melbourne test with Allan (McNish) running the R202 ... He conducted some electronic evaluation for new systems to be used in the first half of the season. Overall, it was a good week for us as the three drivers were able to complete their programme ...We now look forward to being in Australia for the first Grand Prix of the season ... "