Valuable four-day test for Williams comes to an end

The team today concluded this week's four day test session in Jerez. All three AT&T Williams drivers were on duty over the course of the week undertaking optimisation work on the FW31 in preparation for the season ahead, which starts in just six weeks' time.

Nico Hulkenberg opened the test on Tuesday, while Kazuki Nakajima carried out the bulk of the team's programme on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning. Nico Rosberg joined Kazuki on Friday which saw the pair complete a raft of pitstop practices before Nico ended the session in the FW31's cockpit in the afternoon. The four days afforded the team 404 laps of the 4.423km Spanish track, a total of 1,786.892km, valuable mileage from which the team will be able to make developments ahead of Melbourne.

Sam Michael, Technical Director, Williams F1: “This week we had all three drivers working on aerodynamic and mechanical set-up optimisation while also evaluating tyres for Bridgestone. The main target at the moment is to improve the balance on slick tyres, something we are all learning about as quickly as possible. We completed all of the systems, reliability and aero checks that we set out to at the beginning of the week. We finished off the test with some pitstop practice work with the race team so they could get used to all of the new equipment, and to give the drivers an opportunity to get used to pitting on slicks. It's been a productive week and we are looking forward to the next test back here in Jerez in the first week of March.”

Nico Rosberg: “I was only out on track this afternoon as Kazuki was scheduled to do his pitstop practices this morning. I also started off with pitstop practice work, which we had no issues with which was good. I then did some normal running in the afternoon. We didn’t have much time, I only managed to do two runs of ten timed laps, but my impression of the car is still positive. We didn’t experience any technical problems so our reliability is looking good too. I’m already looking forward to the next test and getting some useful mileage in.”

Kazuki Nakajima: “It was a good test for me this week. The weather was much better in Jerez than it was in Portugal so I actually made it out onto the race track for more than just the installation lap! Working through our pre-season programme of checks, we put a lot of mileage on the car over the two days that I was testing, I also did a race simulation. It was good to get a decent run and to be back in the cockpit again. Thanks to everyone in the team who has worked so hard preparing the FW31. It’s a positive start.”