Scott Dixons F1 williams test goes well !

[A.Senna]

i havent found any pics of it yet but if you have can you post them here !!



Reigning Indy Racing League [IRL] champion, Scott Dixon made his F1 debut today [Friday] at Paul Ricard in the Williams-BMW FW26, the New Zealander revealing that he was 'happy' with how it went.

Dixon, who is one of a number of drivers - along with Mark Webber and Jenson Button, now said to be in the frame to join the Grove based squad in 2005, when Juan Pablo Montoya departs to McLaren-Mercedes, spent the day familiarising himself with the FW26 and F1 in general.

The Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver completed 59 laps, his best time a 1 minute 11.753 seconds, which compared favourably to regular driver, Ralf Schumacher, who was only three tenths of a second faster.

"Although it's a steep learning curve, I've had a really enjoyable day and, in general, I'm please with how it went," reflected Dixon, "Unfortunately, I had a problem with the gearbox this morning so my time in the car was limited. When the team fixed the problem I was happy with how it went at the end.

"I would have liked to have had a few more runs in the car as I think I could have gone quicker but I'm now looking forward to the next test in Barcelona."

Tim Newton, test team manager for WilliamsF1, added: "Scott Dixon ran for the first time today, and spent the session acclimatizing himself with a Formula One car and preparing for his next run in Barcelona."

The Barcelona outing will take place early next month.

Leading times (26 March) - Paul Ricard:

1. Jenson Button BAR-Honda 1m 10.846s 80 laps M
2. Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW 1m 11.300s 134 laps M
3. Anthony Davidson BAR-Honda 1m 11.623s 48 laps M##
4. Scott Dixon Williams-BMW 1m 11.753s 59 laps M
5. Pedro de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes 1m 12.038s 96 laps M
6. Alexander Wurz McLaren-Mercedes 1m 12.256s 22 laps M
7. Ricardo Zonta Toyota-Toyota 1m 12.427s 55 laps M
8. Franck Montagny Renault-Renault 1m 12.733s 141 laps M#

M denotes Michelin tyres.
# 2003 specification car.
## 04 concept car.


Weather / track conditions: Some rain at lunchtime, but generally clear.


All times unofficial.

SOURCE: www.crash.net

[tysonzane]

yeah awsome, sounds like he's going to make it 8)

here's another write up from scotts website:

Ralf Schumacher was second quickest on the final day of testing for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team at Le Castellet. Scott Dixon made his Formula One debut.


Weather conditions were ideal, though slightly cool, for the final day of testing at Paul Ricard ahead of next week's inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix. Once again the Mistral wind abated, with temperatures reaching 11 C.


Ralf Schumacher completed a number of long distance runs in preparation for next month's San Marino Grand Prix. The German also worked on set-ups in addition to completing a number of simulated race starts. Ralf completed 134 laps setting a personal best time of 1:11.3.


Also on duty for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team was reigning IRL Champion, Scott Dixon, who made his Formula One debut today. The New Zealander made a good impression on the team, completing 59 laps and posting a best time of 1:11.753.


Dixon spent his day getting used to the car and working on set-ups. He later admitted to suffering neck pain, as he is not used to running right-hand corners in the Indy Racing League. The New Zealander is back at the wheel of a WilliamsF1 BMW FW26 early next month at Barcelona.


Tim Newton (Test Team Manager, WilliamsF1): "With four drivers sharing the test programme this week, we've managed to record a significant amount of mileage, data from which we will be able to use in preparation for the next few races. Aside from shaking down the new FW26 chassis, we've completed some useful tyre testing with Michelin. Scott Dixon ran for the first time today, and spent the session acclimatizing himself with a Formula One car and preparing for his next run in Barcelona."


Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director): "Besides tyre testing, we also undertook practice starts and tested traction control. Although the weather wasn't perfect, we have made good improvements at Ricard for the forthcoming Bahrain race. Parallel to our track activity, we have been analysing Ralf's Malaysia engine and identified the defective component."


Scott Dixon: "Although it's a steep learning curve, I've had a really enjoyable day and, in general, I'm please with how it went. Unfortunately, I had a problem with the gearbox this morning so my time in the car was limited. When the team fixed the problem I was happy with how it went at the end. I would have liked to have had a few more runs in the car as I think I could have gone quicker but I'm now looking forward to the next test in Barcelona."


Times


POS. DRIVER TEAM TIME LAPS


1. J. Button Lucky Strike B.A.R. Honda 1:10.887


2. R. Schumacher BMW WilliamsF1 Team 1:11.300


3. A. Davidson Lucky Strike B.A.R. Honda 1:11.623


4. S. Dixon BMW WilliamsF1 Team 1:11.753


5. R. Briscoe Panasonic Toyota Racing 1:12.200


6. A. Wurz West McLaren Mercedes 1:12.256


7. P. de la Rosa West McLaren Mercedes 1:12.533


8. F. Montagny Mild Seven Renault F1 Team 1:12.733


9. R. Zonta Panasonic Toyota Racing 1:13.028

[TakeiTeg]

yay! Go honda! good to see BAR with the fastest time

[tysonzane]

Originally Posted by IntegRAHH

yay! Go honda! good to see BAR with the fastest time

Dont you mean go SCOTT DIXON

[PizzaBoy]

Hell yeah, go Scott Dixon

Would be awesome to have a kiwi competing at motorsports highest level 8)

[WOLF]

i am sorry to say this guys but it looks like jenson button has the fastest time out of the hondas.

Thats awesome a NZ race car driver now in F1 YAY!

[Bullitt]

Originally Posted by WOLF

i am sorry to say this guys but it looks like jenson button has the fastest time out of the hondas.

Whats your point? BAR has had alot of tests this year where its been faster than BMW

Originally Posted by 1HOTCIVIC

Thats awesome a NZ race car driver now in F1 YAY!

Um have you even read this thread or followed anything thats been happening?

Hes only had a test...its similar to getting an interview for a job, its a good start but hes not there yet

[TakeiTeg]

Originally Posted by tysonzane

Dont you mean go SCOTT DIXON

umm..go..honda?

yea i know go scott dixon too, great to have a indy campion nz'der (even though he drives a toyota) and great he is even incl in F1 tests.

but uerm...yay!!1..go BAR HONDA!!

good to see both of the Honda's nailing the Toyota F1 car as well.

[turbozxi]

Definitely way to go, he went to my school you know Lives in the neighbourhood, amazing achievement. :!:

[tysonzane]

Originally Posted by turbozxi

Definitely way to go, he went to my school you know Lives in the neighbourhood, amazing achievement. :!:

Well i got his Kart stand and pit trolley, . Did you know Scott or know someone that knew him

[A.Senna]

testing times dont really mean shite..

the cars could be running development parts that make the car better in certain areas and worse than others. The main reason would be because of fuel loads.

The only tracks that the teams are allowed to test on during the year that they actually race on too, are silverstone, monza, barcelona and san marino.

so it could be some special compound of the tyres or a new rear wing.

Finally the BAR is fast (not till JV took the long walk) and the Honda engine is reliable. Dont forget the glory days when Senna and the Mclaren Honda was king.

[Camac1]

Awesome news