Head: FW26 a Logical Development

Williams technical director Patrick Head says the new FW26 car unveiled today is a logical evolution of last year's FW25.

The new FW26 did not disappoint when it emerged into the stage lights at Valencia's Ricardo Tormo circuit, where the car will make its track debut later on Monday before real testing starts in Jerez.

"I think the car is a fairly logical development within the rules but there are one or two aspects that look slightly different," said Head during the launch.

"The ambition for Williams is to do something we haven't since 1997. This is the longest period in Williams' history without a championship. Our target is quite clearly both championships."

The twin-keeled front end was a radical departure from previous aerodynamic solutions, strikingly different with the nose cut short and the front wing jutting out from it.

"We've eliminated the part of the nose above the front wing, and it allows more freedom for airflow over and below the car," said technical director Patrick Head.

While rivals McLaren had their new car running at the end of last year, Williams are the first team to hold a formal launch for their 2004 challenger with Ferrari not due to unveil theirs until the end of January.

"Looking back on 2003, we realised we had not left ourselves enough time before the start of the season," said Head explaining the comparatively early launch.

Williams made a slow start to 2003, their car jokingly compared to a tortoise before it showed its true pace when Juan Pablo Montoya won at Monaco in June and Ralf Schumacher then triumphed at the Nurburgring and France. Colombian Montoya also won in Germany in August.