WilliamsF1 prepares for 2005

Making his first appearance with the team will be Mark Webber, joined by test driver Antonio Pizzonia. For Webber this will be the start of a hopefully successful relationship with the WilliamsF1 team, as he takes to the track in a BMW powered WilliamsF1 car for the first time.

For the team this five day test session is designed to not only allow Webber to become familiar with his new surroundings, but will also allow the team to commence testing of new components that will make their way into the new FW27, tyre testing for Michelin, and finally testing of the new 2005 BMW V10 engine the P85.

For Webber this test will be the start of what he hopes will be a very successful relationship with the WilliamsF1 team.

At the launch of the 2005 Australian Grand Prix today, Webber spoke of those Australian drivers who came before him and gave him inspiration to succeed. They are Jack Brabham and Alan Jones. Brabham was World Champion in 1959, 1960 and 1966 while Jones would win the first title for the WilliamsF1 team back in 1980.

Webber said: "Three times World Champion. That is something which is very special. It happened a long time ago, of course, but I still look up to Jack and constantly talk to him these days."

In regard to Alan Jones Webber spoke of how he won the drivers title for the WilliamsF1 team.

Webber said: "So there is some history there with an Australian driver in the past. I'm the next Australian to drive for Williams and I hope that I can achieve what Alan achieved. There has been a bit of a gap (between F1 world titles for Australians), so hopefully we can get on top of it pretty quickly."

AS for the first race with his new team been his home Grand Prix Webber said: We will be disappointed if we're not on the podium at the first race, and if the top step is there to be taken then we will fight very hard to be on it."