Williams could use team orders
2003-08-05 11:14
Hockenheim - Williams team bosses admitted on Monday that they will use team orders as the world championship fight goes down to the wire this season - but only if one of their drivers is out of contention.
Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya is now just six points behind world championship leader Michael Schumacher and 12 ahead of team-mate Ralf Schumacher after winning the German Grand Prix here on Sunday.
Williams technical director Patrick Head admitted that when one driver is not in a position to mathematically win the title the team will be forced to use team orders to help their championship cause.
"Our agreements with both drivers is clear and accepted by both," said Head.
"They are free to race each other, but not in a manner which puts the team result at risk, until one has no numerical possibility to win the championship. Then we request one to assist the other.
"This is not an ideal position for the team, but it is the basis on which we employ our drivers."
Williams team principal Frank Williams described Montoya's performance as "a very skilful demonstration of racecraft" and the team are confident they will continue to have edge over Ferrari in the remaining four races of the season.
They are just two points behind their Italian rivals and cannot risk any collisions between their two drivers if they fight each other with their cars well ahead of the rest of the field.
Evenly matched
But the team's chief operations engineer Sam Michael believes Williams may not be able to introduce team tactics because their drivers are so evenly matched that both will be in with a championship chance late in the season.
"Juan Pablo has finished second to Ralf in recent races but has not been that far behind," said Michael.
"It was just that Ralf had the edge on him for two or three races and he responded by working harder.
"It could easily flick the other way in the next couple of races. That's the way it is if you have got two drivers as good as ours. Their ability is so similar, and it is unlikely you will see one dominate the other."
The team are in good form, having scored 83 points from a possible 108 over the last six races, with Montoya being part of the podium celebrations on all six occasions.
The four races remaining - Hungary, Italy, United States and Japan - are set to offer different teams the advantage in the season run-in but Williams are confident they can dominate again at the next event in Budapest.
Michael added: "The best indicator for Hungary is a combination of Monaco, Hockenheim and Magny-Cours - and we won on all three. We are pretty confident about the next race."
'In a class of its own'
Williams said the engine provided by partners BMW was "in a class of its own" at Hockenheim and added: "This victory is fine reward for the team's ongoing renaissance. A very encouraging situation."
The team chief, however, was disappointed by the FIA's decision to penalise Schumacher for a first lap incident between the German driver and his rivals Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, of Ferrari, and Finn Kimi Raikkonen, of McLaren.
He has been handed a penalty that will move him ten places down the grid in Budapest but both Head and Williams, who was flying back to England when he heard the news, believe the decision is incorrect.
"I do not consider that Ralf caused an avoidable collision," said Head. These matters are subject to an appeal, so it is not appropriate for me to comment further."
Williams added: "The stewards decided Ralf had not paid due attention to the cars on his left and we fully respect the authority of the FIA, and acknowledge their responsibility to protect the safety of those involved in the sport.
"However, we are using the appeal process provided for by the FIA to clarify all of the circumstances surrounding the incident, and the suitability of the penalty imposed."