Germany Preview Quotes: Williams

"I find the unique atmosphere in Hockenheim very special, it feels a bit like the atmosphere you find in a football stadium. The track is OK, but I must say I preferred the old layout as it was unlike any other venue. Because you were forced to find a compromise between the long straights in the wood and the low downforce section in the infield section, it was a great challenge for the drivers. However, the new circuit is clearly better for the fans and for our safety."

Mark Webber: "Obviously all races are important to us but, because of our partnership with BMW, it is important to get a strong result in their home country. I didn't take part in this week's test at Jerez because it was important to give the burn on my hip more time to recover before Hockenheim. However, I know everyone in the team has been working really hard to understand our lack of pace in the last two races so I hope we'll see a big step towards regaining the genuine pace of the FW27 this weekend. The Hockenheim circuit has good opportunities for overtaking and normally produces a good race. There's always a great atmosphere among the German fans and, as a driver, you always get a tremendous buzz coming into the stadium section and seeing the packed grandstands. It's quite a special feeling."

Sam Michael (Technical Director): "After the British Grand Prix, we've been working hard at the factory, in the wind tunnel, and at the test in Jerez to understand and improve the performance of the FW27. Nick, Antonio and Nico all contributed as we worked through many mechanical and aerodynamic set-ups. Jerez marked the final test before the summer testing ban and we have made some progress. WilliamsF1 is a winning team, as history confirms, and we look forward to competing at a higher level as soon as possible.

Hockenheim is an interesting circuit, with mainly slow and medium speed corners, leading towards a softer set-up as the requirement for high speed stability is reduced. It is also quite hard on tyres, with many traction events, so the tyre companies are usually wary of blistering and make adjustments to the compound accordingly. Hockenheim has a great overtaking section and it would be nice to see some action there during the Grand Prix. Strategy will either be a two or a three stop on Sunday.

Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director): "After the two disappointing races in France and Britain, we can not expect a miracle for the German Grand Prix. We are running flat out on the development work, in the wind tunnel at Grove as well as on the track in Jerez, in order to find out the reasons for the uncompetitive lap times so we can fix the problem as soon as possible. BMW is supporting this programme every way we can. Together we want to find our way back to form for the rest of the season.

"Both BMW P84/5 engines which Mark and Nick will race in Hockenheim are those which we raced at Silverstone. Although the long forest straights of Hockenheim were removed from the layout in 2002, the circuit remains a challenging one for the engines. In 2004, the full throttle percentage per lap was 62 percent, while the longest full throttle section was 1,047m. One also needs to take into account that we may have hot weather in Hockenheim.

"For the BMW engineers, the week after the British Grand Prix was a special one because we tested an early configuration of the 2006 V8 engine for the first time. Antonio Pizzonia was on duty for the maiden roll-out in a modified FW27 chassis in Jerez. Overall, the test was positive and we are on schedule with the development."