Head Expects BAR to Shine in 2004

Williams technical director Patrick Head believes the BAR-Honda team will shine in 2004 following their impressive showing in pre-season testing.

Head, however, says that he is more impressed by the pace of the Renaults.

"BAR looks pretty strong, the Renault looks very strong. The one that surprises me is the Renault," said Head at the team's factory on Thursday. "Clearly last year's car was very good, very driveable, but they seem to have done a sort of seamless move onto a different engine specification.

"You can see at the end of each day they have done 100 or 110 laps or something so they clearly have done a very good job. Renault are looking pretty strong I'd say."

Renault were Williams's engine partners from 1989 to 1997, helping the team win five constructors' titles and four drivers' championships. Honda-powered BAR, with former Williams designer Geoff Willis as technical director, have also set a string of impressive times in testing with Jenson Button.

"The BAR looks a good step forward," said Head. "Certainly the people I come across are very tail up in the air and very enthusiastic about their new car and the progress they and Honda have made since the end of last year. I'm sure BAR will be players.

"Stepping from where they are to be Championship contenders over one winter is quite a big step but stranger things have happened."

Head was confident the new Williams, with its radical front-end, would be competitive from the first race in Australia on March 7 despite gearbox problems in testing.

"It's a very light gearbox and we're maybe pushing the limits a bit hard in some areas," he said. "So maybe we've got to back off a bit with some of the lightness. The car is considerably better than the FW25 and also provides us with a platform that has far more development potential throughout the year."