Oxfordshire's BMW WilliamsF1 and Mild Seven Renault F1 teams have completed pre-Christmas winter testing sessions at the Jerez circuit, in southern Spain.

The Grove-based Williams team ran Ralf Schumacher and Marc Gene through a host of end-of-year tests to assess major new components, including the new BMW P83 engine, for the 2003 season.

With a track testing ban in place, the test programme will start early in the new year, in preparation for running the new 2003 chassis ahead of the start of the new season in March.

Sam Michael, chief operations engineer for WilliamsF1, said the team had moved south from Barcelona to Jerez to find the best weather in Spain.

He explained: "There have been variable conditions with a lot of wind. Marc continued working on the new engine and gearbox as well as evaluating new brake development. "Ralf has been doing aerodynamic assessment and tyre testing for Michelin. Now we have the Christmas break and then it will be straight back to Jerez in the new year."

The Renault team, from Enstone, lasted four days with Fernando Alonso driving all four days and Jarno Trulli only driving on Thursday and Friday morning.

The team also tried out two young French drivers, Franck Montagny and Sebastien Bourdais.

The team's test manager, Carlos Nunes, said: "Overall it was a useful test session. Fernando Alonso was able to complete the programme as planned in the hybrid car and also did some tyre work for Michelin.

"Both young French drivers tested the R202. Franck Montagny's test on Friday was hampered by bad weather conditions, and we decided to give him a second chance on Sunday afternoon. Sebastien Bourdais, who ran Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, completed a total of 68 laps. They both did a very professional job."