BMW Identify Causes for Engine Blow-Ups in Canada

BMW have identified the reasons for the double engine blow-up the Williams drivers have suffered in Canada last weekend, motorsport director Mario Thiessen said today.

Juan Pablo Montoya retired from the race when his engine expired on lap 57. Teammate Ralf Schumacher made it to the finish line, but his engine also blew up on the cool down lap.

"On Wednesday we dismantled the engines," Thiessen said today, "and found out the following: Juan Pablo's engine stopped in the race due to a broken valve. On Ralf's car, a problem with a piston appeared after he had crossed the finish line. It actually was not a failure of the piston itself but of the operating conditions."

Williams ended a four-days testing session at Jerez today, where the team's progress was hampered by mechanical failures on the last couple of days. Nevertheless, the team said progress was made and "some useful work" was done in preparations for the European Grand Prix next week.

"The Jerez test was very productive from a BMW perspective," Thiessen added. "While the general focus was on suspension and tyre development, we have been working on further improvements of traction control system and engine mapping. Even though we lost some time on Thursday due to a fire which was caused by a leak in the fuel supply system, we have made good progress towards our targets."