F1 test coming up for Priaulx

BMW Motorsport and director Mario Theissen are going to honour their promise. As it was announced in December, Andy Priaulx will test the BMW Williams Formula 1 car. It will happen in Valencia, on January 27th.

“I can’t wait for it,” the 2004 FIA European Touring Car champion admitted. “I just hope that all my training will prove that I’m physically up to the task. With an F1 this is a crucial point. I may have the speed, but if my neck is not strong enough I’ll be in trouble. I have no expectations, beyond the test itself I mean, but I do not want to waste this opportunity. I want to do a professional job with the team. Especially after I went to Williams for the seat fitting, and they surprised me for how keen they were; Patrick Head said that for them it will be a serious test.”

BMW WilliamsF1 Team Principal Frank Williams commented, “It is great to see some home grown success, and I have followed Andy’s touring car progress since his debut in the 2002 British Touring Car Championship. I hope he finds the experience a positive and enjoyable one.” Priaulx will spend half a day in the car, and he will be watched closely by the team’s regular drivers Mark Webber, Antonio Pizzonia and Nick Heidfield. “I know Mark and Antonio since we were all racing in the British F3. I had a talk with Mark, and he was very helpful. He told me that I will be suprised by the braking of the F1 car. I know that is possible to find the limit in any car, and I hope that I can do it early.”