Celebrated as the jewel in the Formula One crown, the 2005 Monaco Grand Prix gets underway in just over a week's time. The Principality, playground of the rich and famous, will play host to the sixth round of the season, a year which has seen the BMW WilliamsF1 Team achieve less than their exacting standards, thus far.
Currently lying in fourth place in the Constructors' table, the team hope the FW27s will benefit from yet more aero developments and a productive test this week at Vallelunga, the Italian track which bears considerable resemblance to the narrow, twisting Mediterranean street circuit. F1's showpiece event is one of the most challenging races on the calendar which rewards a strong qualifying performance and a good race strategy but one which equally punishes even the smallest of errors. Having won in Monte Carlo three times, the last victory claimed by Juan Pablo Montoya in 2003, the team are hoping for a more rewarding outcome at this Grand Prix.

 

Mark Webber:
"Nothing else really compares to Monaco, it's such a unique event for many different reasons. It's always very special to race there because Monaco is so steeped in motor racing history. The circuit has seen so many great races and has created countless racing legends. For the drivers, it's one of the greatest challenges of the season because, although it's a relatively slow circuit in terms of speed, concentration and fitness levels are very important. Mentally, it's a tough track to race on because the margin for error is so small and, with all that armco waiting to suck you in at the slightest mistake, there's no such thing as a small accident in Monaco. I think it's also the race that every driver wants to win as it's known as a real driver's track.

 

Monaco also provides the teams with plenty of challenges as the track changes quite a lot over the course of the weekend. You need to make the car as comfortable as possible to drive because the circuit has so many undulations and bumps. However, a comfortable car isn't always a quick one, so it's crucial to find the right balance."

After two successful race weekends in Monza and Magny-Cours, the BMW national teams head with confidence to Silverstone, which is hosting races five and six of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). So far, the drivers of BMW Team Deutschland have dominated the first World Touring Car Championship to be held since 1987.
At the season opener in Italy, Dirk Müller (GER) - who leads the drivers' rankings - collected 18 world championship points. In France, both race wins went to his team-mate Jörg Müller (GER). With the other BMW drivers busy collecting points in the first four races as well, BMW tops the Constructors' Championship with 65 points ahead of Alfa Romeo (46) and SEAT (33).

At the focus of attention on the 3.619-kilometre Silverstone Circuit will be the reigning European Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx (GBR) of BMW Team UK. The 30-year-old, who ranks third in the world championship with 23 points, is looking forward to his two home races, though he will have a weight handicap of 50 kilos on board his BMW 320i. His fellow BMW-drivers Dirk Müller (50), Jörg Müller (50), and spanish driver Antonio Garcia (35) of BMW Team Italy-Spain will also be carrying an extra load into the weekend's races.

Weather: Sunny, dry. Temp: Air 24-25°C, Track 45-46°C
Barcelona (ESP). Mark Webber collected three points today for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team, finishing in 6th position. Team-mate Nick Heidfeld fought his way up from 17th on the grid to 10th place.

 

Mark Webber: 6th
Best time: 1:16.761in (lap 62, 9th overall)
Chassis: FW27 05 - BMW P84/5 engine 1st GP
The start was tricky because I was on the dirty side of the track and I lost one position there. I didn't want to risk too much with Ralf Schumacher at the first corner to protect my position. Then I was stuck for a while behind Ralf and Alonso, which was a shame, because I was lighter than them. We decided to change strategy and go for two stops instead of three but the fuel load was quite hard on the tyres then, causing quite a bit of deterioration and consequent vibrations in the car. At the end of the day we collected some useful points.

Team BMW Motorsport has taken a one two with its BMW M3 GTR cars in the Nürburgring 24 Hour Race. Pedro Lamy (POR), Duncan Huisman (NLD), Andy Priaulx (GBR), Boris Said (USA) completed a total of 139 laps in the GT Coupe car number 2 over the 25.378 kilometre Nordschleife, to take the win. Their team-mates, Dirk Müller (GER), Jörg Müller (GER), Hans-Joachim Stuck (GER) Dirk Müller (GER), Jörg Müller (GER), Hans-Joachim Stuck (GER) came second after completing 134 laps.
Last year BMW also celebrated a one two in the German Eifel region. In 2004, however, it was the trio of Dirk Müller (GER), Jörg Müller (GER), Hans-Joachim Stuck (GER) who took the top step of the podium. For BMW it is the 18th outright victory at the Nordschleife, and for the eighth time BMW cars claimed a one two. For the first time in the history of BMW a team has claimed consecutive one two victories.

I'll have a bunch of PR's to post here this weekend, and a special article about Kumho tires - tires that I totally believe in.  Complete Sunday night.

 

I've been working day and night lately making extra money, so I haven't had any time at all to do anything.

he Circuit de Nevers continues to favour BMW: Jörg Müller (GER) of BMW Team Deutschland won races 3 and 4 of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) on the 4.411-kilometre circuit. In the first race, the reigning European Touring Car Championship Andy Priaulx (GBR) took second place for BMW Team UK, with SEAT driver Rickard Rydell (SWE) in third place. Joining Jörg Müller on the podium for the prize-giving ceremony of the second race were Dirk Müller (GER, BMW Team Deutschland) in second place and Priaulx once more. Antonio Garcia (ESP) of BMW Team Italy-Spain came in fourth to round off the positive result for the BMW national teams. For Jörg Müller they were wins number 13 and 14 of his touring car career. BMW managed to clinch both races in Magny-Cours for the third time in succession.

 

After the exciting races in Magny-Cours, Dirk Müller remains at the top of the drivers' rankings. Despite a weight handicap of 45 kilograms, the 29-year-old picked up eleven world championship points to bring his tally to 29. His team-mate Jörg Müller is in second place with 25 points, with Priaulx (23) behind him. In the manufacturers' championship, BMW managed to increase the gap to the competition. With 65 points, the brand is 19 points ahead of its nearest rival Alfa Romeo. SEAT (33) is in third place.

 

In the Independents' Trophy, one race win each went to Marc Hennerici (Mayen) and Carl Rosenblad (SWE, both BMW 320i). That means Hennerici continues to head the private driver rankings with 38 points ahead of Rosenblad (18) and Alfa Romeo's Salvatore Tavano (17).

Milner, Marks and Auberlen Score First F1 Air Victory of the Season
Monterey, Calif. - May 1, 2005... With well-timed strategy and excellent pit work, BMW Team PTG owner Tom Milner orchestrated a 1-2-3 BMW M3 finish in today's Road and Track 250. Tom Milner, Justin Marks and Bill Auberlen drove the No. 16 BMW Team PTG F1 Air M3 to the top of the podium from the 10th starting position, completing 92 laps in the two-hour-and-forty-five minute contest.

 

RJ Valentine and Kelly Collins drove the No. 17 BMW Team PTG F1 Air M3 to a second place finish after starting from the pole. Ian James, Chris Gleason and Joey Hand completed the GT sweep in the No. 22 BMW Team PTG M3.