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The Williams F1 team issued the following statement:
The team debuted the 2010 FW32 at Valencia today for day one of a three day test at the Spanish track. Rubens Barrichello opened the test, covering 75 laps and setting the sixth fastest time of the day with a 1:14.449.
Rubens will continue work with the car tomorrow while Nico Hulkenberg will take over testing duties on Wednesday.
Sam Michael, Technical Director:
It was a productive first day testing, with the car completing 75 laps in total. Considering everything is new, in particular the Cosworth engine installation, it was good to get through the day without any major problems. We did have a minor software issue with the throttle control towards the end of the session, but that is easily sorted out for tomorrow. We are well underway with set-up work now and tuning the FW32 around the new Bridgestone tyres.
Rubens Barrichello:
I enjoyed today, it was like a first day at school! You can’t predict anything from the times today; and probably won’t be able to for the remainder of the tests because of the fuel loads people will run with such big tanks. It probably won’t be until Bahrain qualifying that we will see where everyone is. We are working on improving the balance of the car, but it’s running reliably, despite the small issue with the throttle. As everything is new, it was a good day.
I vote with Gho Gho. From the beginning Ed has been pretty up-beat about Cosworth --their excellent history and devotion to F1, etc. etc.-- but if BMW and HONDA (who also had an excellent F1 history) couldn't 'catch up' to the Mercs, Renaults and Ferraris, what chance do Cosworth, really, have?