Michael says Williams are on target

Williams technical director Sam Michael believes that his team are on target in their bid to return to the front of field

The Grove-based outfit have made progress this year after their disappointing 2006 campaign and are currently fifth in the constructors' championship standings.

And although Michael says the team have still fallen short in not achieving perfect reliability this year, he is optimistic that they are heading in the right direction.

"We have significantly improved our reliability since last year," Michael told the Williams website. "We have had just two mechanical DNFs this season, which is in line with the front running teams. However, our target is to have 100% reliability so we will strive to achieve that in 2008.

"Performance-wise, we have also improved since last year. Although we want to do better, fifth in the constructors' is where the car is at the moment. Our target for next year is to improve again as we head back towards the front end."

Michael says the team will continue to develop the FW29 for the next few weeks, although work has already begun on next year's FW30. The final update for the current car is scheduled to be fitted at the Japanese Grand Prix.

And Michael has paid tribute to drives Nico Rosberg and Alex Wurz, whom he claims have played a big role in helping push developments forward.

"Nico and Alex work really well together and they have a lot of mutual respect for each other," he said. "They both work hard and spend a lot of time thinking about the car and how to improve it.

"Nico and Alex always give me direct feedback after every race and test session as well. That's particularly good because it shows their commitment to the team and wanting to be an integral part of moving us back up the grid."