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[Martin]

From autosport.com:

Michael: Williams not ready to win yet

By Steve Cooper and Jonathan Noble Thursday, February 14th 2008, 14:14 GMT

Williams still need to take big steps with their new FW30 if they are to challenge McLaren and Ferrari for race wins this year, despite their impressive pre-season testing performances.

That is the view of the Grove-based team's technical director Sam Michael, who has told this week's Autosport that he believes the team are still not yet at the level they want to be with their new car.

"We've got a good reference but we're definitely not quick enough to go and win Grands Prix, which is what our target is," said Michael. "We're still far enough from McLaren and Ferrari that we need to take some big steps to compete with them.

"But the car's a good step on from where it was last year, and we finished the season relatively strongly. If we can keep going in that direction then that is the most important thing."

Although Williams appear to have made a step up in form among the midfield teams, Michael thinks it is too early to say how they stand against their nearest rivals.

"It's always difficult to see other team's problems because they're not always visible from the outside. And you think they're major problems but there will be other things behind the scenes.

"I don't think BMW have much of a problem looking at their lap times in the last day of Valencia and all the way through Barcelona.

"They are competitive - they may not be where McLaren and Ferrari are but they're definitely at the front of the chasing pack."

I have to say I agree with all of that. There is no doubt Williams have made a big step forward, but there is still some way to go. Hopefully in several years they will be back to the Williams we all know and love.

absolutely

[7UpJordan]

Sam's right, nobody's going to be challenging the Ferraris and McLarens again this year, although someone might try and crash in on the party. Williams may well do such a thing but it won't be beating Hamilton, Kovvy, Kimi and Felipe outright this year. It's going to be a tight battle between BMW, Williams, Red Bull and possibly Renault this year. For sure though, they're heading back in the right direction and could challenge in 2009 when the aero regulation changes throw everything into perspective.

Then again Williams could be sandbagging with their comments and might produce some surprises, anything can happen as Murray Walker used to say, and it usually does.

[scotty]

This weeks Autosport is saying they're faster than the main pack but not quite as quick as the big two... I would put money on Rosberg sneaking a win somewhere this year if that is the case.

[7UpJordan]

This weeks Autosport is saying they're faster than the main pack but not quite as quick as the big two... I would put money on Rosberg sneaking a win somewhere this year if that is the case.

They've certainly been there towards the top throughout testing. They could surprise us more yet by managing to beat either one of the Ferraris or McLarens. Unlike last season, we could see both Williams' in the top 8 often this season.

[texasmr2]

Thank god we only have 26 more day's until we will find out!

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Michael still cautious about Williams form

By Jonathan Noble Friday, February 22nd 2008, 11:14 GMT

Williams technical director Sam Michael says recent testing form has left his team with a 'good feeling' about their chances for the new season, but he is not making any bold predictions about just how competitive they will be.

With Kazuki Nakajima having topped the times on the final day of testing at Barcelona in Spain this week, Williams's new FW30 appears to have emerged as one of the leading challengers to the pace-setting Ferrari and McLaren teams.

But Michael says he is remaining cautious about the team's chances for the year ahead, although he admits he is happy with the current state of the Grove-based outfit.

"The bounce came back in everyone's step last year knowing that we had put 2006 behind us," Michael told autosport.com. "And 2008 is about taking the next step towards the front again.

"There is a good feeling in the team, but not one of complacency. We want to get out there and compete properly. We know where we want to be, and we are not there yet, but we know where our targets are and everyone in the team can see that now."

Williams are due to run their definitive Melbourne-spec aerodynamics package in next week's test at Barcelona in Spain, their final run before the start of the season, but Michael has played down any talk that the new parts will lift them any closer to the front.

"I think it will just keep us where we are," he said. "Everyone has a (new) package for Melbourne, so everyone will improve. It will be the development rate over the season that will decide how quick people are."

When asked where he thinks Williams stand in the pecking order, judging by their impressive pace in winter testing, Michael said: "I think it is pretty hazy behind McLaren and Ferrari.

"I genuinely don't know where we are. And I don't think there has been any year in F1 where you really know where you are until after the first three or four races.

"In previous years we have gone to the first race, had a good run, and then after that had some pretty bad races. Then there have been years where we've gone to Australia, had a disaster, but then turned up in Malaysia and been flying. It is going to take a few races to sort things out."

Michael's cautious stance about the form of the team has been backed by Nakajima, who thinks that Williams are not the only team putting good performances in testing.

"Looking at other teams, I was impressed by (Fernando) Alonso. He was so fast and it looks like Red Bull can pull off some quick runs," he said. "So I cannot be too optimistic about our speed. It will be a tough fight."

I think BMW were expecting to be guaranteed third place in the constructors' title. Williams, whilst not as quick as McLaren or Ferrari, could seriously gatecrash their party. In fact, the midfield looks very tight this season.

I pray that politics stay out of proceedings this season because we look to have a truly brilliant championship at hand. McLaren v. Ferrari are very close and there are going to be some pretty intense midfield battles as well.

I wish Williams well. They're a great team and have been through some pretty tough times. Formula One needs teams like them.

[racechick]

Oh I think williams will definately gatecrash BMW's party. I like both those two teams, it will be an interesting battle

[woody2goody]

It's great to see Williams competitive again, but I still think BMW will nip infront of them. They should beat Renault on their current form.

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Rosberg stays cautious on Williams form

By Simon Strang and Jonathan Noble Wednesday, February 27th 2008, 17:27 GMT

Nico RosbergNico Rosberg thinks that it is still going to take Williams another year to return to front-running form in Formula One, despite the team's impressive pre-season testing build up.

The new FW30 has emerged as one of the leading contenders to be 'best-of-the-rest' behind Ferrari and McLaren, thanks in part to BMW Sauber's difficulties, but the team have consistently played down their chances for the new season.

And although Rosberg and teammate Kazuki Nakajima have enjoyed another strong week of testing at Barcelona this week, the mood in the team has not changed.

In fact, Rosberg thinks that the team have got a major fight on their hands in that fight for places behind the two leading contenders.

When asked if he saw Williams as the third best team, Rosberg said: "That would be a bit too optimistic I think. I see us fighting with Renault and Red Bull. BMW are the only one I don't really know about.

"For sure it's going to be tight with Renault and Red Bull and I hope that from one track to another specifically we can get a bit of an edge over them. So our target is probably fourth in the constructors' championship at the moment."

Rosberg believes that rivals Renault will have received a big lift from the return of former world champion Fernando Alonso.

"His arrival just boosts every single person working there to do extra hours and extra work," he explained. "That's going to be a help to the team, but then I have to say that the drivers who were driving there last year weren't idiots and he is not going to revolutionise the team to win the world championship. There is no way.

"But I am sure he will bring the team forward a bit. How much I don't know."

Although Rosberg is not expecting sensational results from Williams this year, he says he has no regrets about committing his future to them - and is genuinely excited about their prospects for the new-look F1 in 2009.

"I am very happy where I am that's for sure, but of course there is a small part of me that wants to be in a race-winning car," said the German, who was one of the contenders for a move to McLaren as replacement for Alonso.

"But I will just have to wait a few more years. That's what I want to do, I want to win races.

"It's difficult, you come into F1 and you have won everything coming through. I always had the chance to win in every single race I have ever done before F1, and now it is just not there. It is strange. So there is that small part of me that wants a race-winning car under me."

When asked if he felt winning with Williams was possible, he said: "I hope so. That would be the dream to make it with Williams. We need to make a step this year and then another big step next year.

"We will have our chance next year. There is such a big rule change that everybody has a chance. It's going to completely mix it up again. That's the big chance that we need to take as team Williams."

[7UpJordan]

http://williams.latphoto.co.uk/

The new livery has been unveiled, and it looks awesome! Looks like a cross between the FW28 and FW29 liveries with a darker shade of blue. In a way it sort of looks a bit like a Brabham livery from the 80's, but it might look different on track. Also there's some pretty dodgy "model" poses from the Nico's and Kazuki.

[McLaren Fan]

here's some pretty dodgy "model" poses from the Nico's and Kazuki.

I see what you mean!

The car, however, looks great, and seems to go pretty quickly as well.

[racechick]

I think Nicco would make a great male model - not sure about the other one
That reminds me of something i read in the Times about Nicky Lauder. After his return to the cockpit following his accident when he nearly died from burns; an interviewer asked him what his wife thought now that he was ugly, His reply, a snarling,"Im not a male model, im a racing driver"
I like his style

[deMuRe]

http://williams.latphoto.co.uk/

The new livery has been unveiled, and it looks awesome! Looks like a cross between the FW28 and FW29 liveries with a darker shade of blue. In a way it sort of looks a bit like a Brabham livery from the 80's, but it might look different on track. Also there's some pretty dodgy "model" poses from the Nico's and Kazuki.

Nice looking car, hope it's quick...

[Denthúl]

Easily the nicest looking car on the grid. Good luck to them in the races

[Jaws]

an interviewer asked him what his wife thought now that he was ugly, His reply, a snarling,"Im not a male model, im a racing driver"
I like his style

Marcus Gronholm belongs to the same category: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwukCdGKOdY

He´s not a meteorologist!