Williams unveil Ferrari-beater

2004-01-05 15:02

Valencia, Spain - Williams Formula One team unveiled a radical new car on Monday which they believe will finally smash Ferrari's dominance in 2004.

Team chief Frank Williams admitted they had fallen short last season when Michael Schumacher claimed his sixth world title but was confident the Williams F1 BMW FW26 chassis and new BMW P84 engine would give Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher the edge when the season starts at Melbourne in March.

After a difficult start to the season, the team headed the 2003 World Championship, but conceded defeat in the final race of the year.

"We have acknowledged our shortcomings of 2003. In 2004, we must be competitive from the off if we are to realise our potential," Williams said.

"I have every confidence that the team has all the elements necessary to win in 2004 - we must simply seize the opportunity."

Technical Director Patrick Head added: "We are acutely aware of the need to be challenging in every race - from Melbourne right through to Brazil in 2004. I am reassured that we have left no stone unturned at Williams F1 in our preparation for next season."

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen acknowledged the technical challenge this season's rules pose.

"We have to master complex tasks in order to achieve our goal of the World Championship title," he said.

"The Sporting Code introduced in 2004 prescribes the use of a single engine for the entire Grand Prix weekend. This means that endurance is our priority. However, we also want to field the most powerful engine on the grid despite the new rules."

Montoya was third in last year's championship while Ralf finished fifth.

- AFP