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Formula One
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CART
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IRL
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NHRA
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| Saturday, January 27 |
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| Williams trying to close gap Reuters | |||
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SILVERSTONE, England -- Williams is taking
a riskier road this year to try to catch up with Formula One
rivals Ferrari and McLaren, BMW Motorsport director Gerhard
Berger said on Saturday.
"For this year, we are trying to go a bit more (of a) risky
way," declared the former grand prix driver at the launch of the
BMW-powered Williams FW23 car at Silverstone circuit.
"We have a brand new engine, not one screw is the same as
last year's engine, we have new tire manufacturers and one new
driver.
"To close the gap with the front I think we have to approach
it in a bit more risky way and that's what we are trying to do.
Hopefully we can get closer."
Williams was third in the championship last year, well
behind Ferrari and McLaren -- who won all the races -- with British
newcomer Jenson Button joining for a season that was seen as
largely developmental.
Button has since been loaned to Benetton.
"It is highly unlikely that we will be able to completely
close the gap," said Berger of 2001.
"But we want to improve our performance so as to be ready
and waiting to pounce as soon as one of the Ferraris or McLarens
runs into problems."
Team boss Frank Williams said the third place was a surprise
in their first year with BMW but he admitted concern that
Williams has not won a race since its 103rd victory came in
1997.
The team was the most successful of the 1980s and 1990s,
with nine constructors' titles and seven drivers' crowns.
Departing ship "It is worrying and uncomfortable and, like being on a departing ship, you worry if you'll ever bridge the gap if you jump," said Williams. He said that German Ralf Schumacher, younger brother of Michael and now embarking on his fifth year in Formula One, was ready to win a race but he was not sure about Colombian debutante Juan Pablo Montoya. "I think Juan is convinced he is ready," he added. BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen said the new engine, described as smaller, lighter and more powerful, could help make the leap forward. "Last year's engine was more successful than anyone could expect but to us it was clear that if we want to close the gap between the two top teams and us we have to do an all-new engine." He added: "We have been doing track tests since the first week of December almost weekly," he said. Chief aerodynamicist Geoff Willis said the new car was an evolution of the FW22 "with developments and improvements for the new engine installation and gearbox and a large number of changes reflecting the impact of the new (technical) regulations." The new car was given a shakedown at Silverstone on Saturday before further testing in Spain next week. The team is also due to test in South Africa in February. | |
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