New Nurburgring Layout Too Slow for Williams Drivers

Both Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher revealed they were not happy with the changes to the Nurburgring circuit, as it made the German track too slow.

"I think that the new chicane is much too slow for me, I preferred it as it was before," said Juan Pablo Montoya, who endured a troubled first day of work during Friday's practice.

The Colombian driver, who has failed to finish in the last two races, set the fifth quickest time after suffering an exhaust problem in the second session. His Williams mechanics were forced to change it, losing a lot of valuable track time.

"It hasn't been a very positive day for me as I am still struggling with the balance of the car," admitted Montoya. "I also had a problem with an exhaust, which I experienced halfway through the second session which hampered my work."

Teammate Ralf Schumacher finished right behind Montoya in fifth place, the German enjoying a less troubled day. Schumacher, tied with Montoya in the Championship standings, also claimed that the new twisty section of the Nurburgring circuit was too slow.

"I had a very low-key start to my race weekend," said Schumacher. "We didn't have any real problems and we could work quite well on improving the car. As usual for a Friday, we concentrated on the set-up for the race and I tried both the tyre compounds that Michelin has brought here.

"In the second session the grip level sensibly improved, particularly in the new part of the track, which I find a bit too slow, by the way."