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11/09/2004

BMW WilliamsF1 Qualifying Report - Monza

Montoya On Front Row

BMW WilliamsF1 Qualifying Report - Monza

The Autodromo di Monza once again proved to be a good circuit for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team, with Juan Pablo Montoya qualifying second and team-mate Antonio Pizzonia eighth. The team will start from the front row for the fourth time this season, the third for Juan Pablo after Spain and Germany. In pre-qualifying Montoya also set the fastest lap ever in an F1 car at the average speed of 262,242km/h.

Juan Pablo Montoya:
"The team did a very good job today and we had two good qualifying sessions. My final qualifying lap was not the best, because I pushed very hard and made too many mistakes, but even if it had been perfect I still think Ferrari would be ahead, Rubens put in a very good lap!"

"It is a positive result for our team, especially because the top times are very close together here. We will see how the race goes and what strategy Ferrari are on. I also started second last year so I really cannot complain! We had three good days of testing here last week, and they seem to have really paid off."

Antonio Pizzonia:
"After a very good pre-qualifying I had a slightly less successful final qualifying lap, but I am still quite happy because I know I have a good race car. Eighth is still a good position to start from and still a reasonable gift for my birthday. The top ten positions are very close. Unfortunately I made a small mistake in the middle sector which cost me probably a few positions but still I know that we have a consistent pace for tomorrow's race and a good strategy."

Sam Michael (Technical Director, WilliamsF1):
"It was a good qualifying session from both of our drivers and it is good to be back on the front row. Monza is a hard circuit on the brakes and on the engine. We spent a lot of time to prepare ourselves in the test last week and also in the free practice sessions. Now we are looking forward to a good race tomorrow but it will be interesting to see what the weather will be like."

Mario Theissen
"I am satisfied so far. Setting the fastest lap times in pre-qualifying meant we secured the best starting positions for the final qualifying. Both drivers were brilliant in sectors one and three, but lost fractions in the middle sector. Starting from the front row gives Juan excellent chances for the race."

"Antonio was just two tenths of a second slower than him and yet he lines up only eighth. This shows how tight the competition is here in Monza. Obviously we are pleased to have shown a strong performance so far on what is known as an engine circuit par excellence."