Theissen: Williams Face a Test of Character

Former World Champions Williams must dig deep after failing to score points and having a driver disqualified for the second race in a row at Sunday's US Grand Prix.

"I think it's a test of character," said Mario Theissen, motorsport director of Williams' engine partners BMW. "Sometimes things happen which shouldn't happen and you have to get over it and have to learn from it and especially you have to take care not to become demotivated.

"I think these are the moments in which a team can show whether it is really strong and I certainly expect us to overcome this situation. I'm quite confident that we will make progress in the coming races and overcome this difficult situation."

Ralf Schumacher crashed, and was taken to hospital for overnight observation, while Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya was disqualified late in the race on a technicality because he switched to the spare car seconds too late.

Both Williams drivers were also disqualified at the preceding Canadian Grand Prix when their cars' brake ducts failed a post-race inspection.

Team boss Frank Williams said it had been 'another bad weekend' while Montoya was seething after being allowed to race for 57 of the 73 laps before the black flag came out.

"Again a bad outcome to what seemed to be a reasonably good weekend," he said in a team statement. "The only comfort is that the car was quick, which allowed me to catch up with the frontrunners from the back of the field."

Williams, nine times winners of the Formula One Constructors' Championship, have not won a race since Montoya's success at the German Grand Prix last July. The team are currently fourth in the Championship.

"Two disappointing results in a row is not good," said technical director Sam Michael. "That puts a lot of pressure on me - it's all down to me, but Formula One has a tendency to throw everything at you when you are down and the one thing you can't do is cave in.

"The important thing now is that we keep everybody's heads up and we will come out the other side. That's the way it is in this business."