FW25 a substantial step forward

For the team all their hopes will be placed on the new FW25 which will be launched on the final day of January. For the WilliamsF1 team there is an expectation that they must come up with a car that is better in several areas to the FW24.

Those at WilliamsF1 will admit that the FW24 was lacking in several areas, including the aerodynamics, and as a result did not make the most of the BMW P82 V10 engine. It was not until late in the 2002 season that the WilliamsF1 team made changes, primarily to do with the rear of the car, that would see the car improve in performance. But having said that it was still a long way behind the Ferrari F2002.

For Sam Michael, WilliamsF1 Chief Operations Engineer, he is hoping that the research in the teams wind-tunnel will see the team make the FW25 a substantial step forward.

Michael said: "Our main weakness is at the rear end of the car, and aerodynamics in general. It remains to be seen what gains can be made on our package for this year, but rest assured that every effort is now devoted to that on-track deficit."

There has been much discussion as to how the WilliamsF1 team, criticised by some for been too conservative in their design, will come up with a contender that will challenge Ferrari.

Michael added: "There is a fine line between a revolutionary step and a misguided, untried or experimental step, we will walk that line."

Sir Frank Williams reinforced the view that WilliamsF1 will not make the same mistake they made with the FW24 in that it did not exploit the rules to their fullest and that it was too conservative.

Williams said: "This year we won't repeat the mistake of not risking enough. 'We'll prove our technological boldness and present a revolutionary FW25."

As for their partners BMW are working hard with BMW Motorsport Director Dr Mario Theissen describing this as the "most important time of the year."

Theissen added: "We have been working on the P83, the new Formula One engine, for a long time now.

"At the moment everybody is working at full steam at the test stand. People in the factory are working non-stop. For our test engineers, this is the most important time of the year."