Williams FW23 launch: Sir Frank looks for wins

Champ Car sensation Juan Pablo Montoya joins Ralf Schumacher at the Grove-based team for 2001, but a sniping campaign between the duo, fuelled by a hungry media, has already threatened to grow into a full-blown war of words.

Speaking at the launch of the BMW WilliamsF1 Team's new car, the FW23, at Silverstone today (Saturday), Sir Frank said: "We've got two really competitive drivers and there's no doubt in my mind what they can do.

"I don't think they'll get on marvelously," he added, "but that's not important - it's what happens on the track that matters."

Williams enters its second season with engine partner BMW (see separate story) after finishing a surprise third overall in the 2000 constructors' championship. For 2001, given favourable circumstances, Sir Frank said he believed the team could break McLaren and Ferrari's dominance of the top step of the podium.

"I want us to finish every race, have great pit work and good race strategy and maybe win a race or two - if the red and silver cars make a mistake," he told the assembled media.

Both drivers appeared keen to play down expectations of themselves and the team. Schumacher, who enters his third season with the team, said: "We've got to stay where we are [best of the rest, behind McLaren and Ferrari], but we need to get closer to the front."

An equally low-key Montoya added: "I can't go out there and say I'll be winning races. I can only do the best I can, but I'll be giving it 100 per cent."

FW23 will be given its first shakedown this at Silverstone today, under the glare of the world's media, before embarking on a short but intense test programme prior to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 4.