Williams Sees Shades of Prost, Mansell in Webber

Team boss Frank Williams says Australian Mark Webber already reminds him of Formula One greats Nigel Mansell and Alain Prost.

Even though the 28-year-old has not yet raced for the BMW-powered Williams team - he makes his debut in Melbourne on March 6 - Webber had his new employer singing his praises again at the launch of the new FW27 car on Monday.

"He's very focused, super fit and a bit like someone else in a red car (Ferrari's seven times champion Michael Schumacher) who is mentally fully involved seven days a week - and that we like," said Williams.

"He is the antithesis of Alan Jones and a bit like Mansell and Prost mixed together, you know," he added. "He has immense determination, like Mansell, and is always thinking, like Prost."

Australian Jones was Williams's first World Champion, in 1980, and was known for his forthright views and uncompromising approach to racing. To many, he remains the ideal Williams driver as well as being Australia's last race winner.

The hard-charging Mansell ran away with the 1992 title at Williams while French ace Prost captured his fourth title with them in 1993.

Webber is also direct, telling it like he sees it, but in a very different mould to the drivers of old. As well as being a fitness fanatic, he is a determined team player who spends hours in the factory. The Australian is also acutely aware that he has yet to deliver anything in Formula One terms.

Lucky Situation

His fifth place for Minardi on his debut in Melbourne in 2002 remains the highest placing of his Formula One career, despite two years with Jaguar, whereas new teammate Nick Heidfeld has a podium finish to his credit.

"I certainly haven't proved a great deal in F1," Webber said on Monday. "I haven't achieved as much in F1 as Nick has. Testing is one thing, racing's another...I still have a lot more to do yet."

The Australian shrugged off any suggestion that, just because he had been signed first, he would be the team's lead driver and said he hoped to learn a lot with the former champions.

"I'm spoilt for the people I'm working with," he said. "I'm just rapt with the guys...that's incredible for me. I'm in a very lucky situation and I'm looking forward to making the most of it.

"When you come to a team with someone like Frank and Patrick (Head) running it you have to take in what they tell you, they are like fathers for you. They are very respected people and legends in the sport," he said.

"I want to learn off them and try to achieve good things with the whole team."