Michael still cautious about Williams form

With Kazuki Nakajima having topped the times on the final day of testing at Barcelona in Spain this week, Williams's new FW30 appears to have emerged as one of the leading challengers to the pace-setting Ferrari and McLaren teams.

But Michael says he is remaining cautious about the team's chances for the year ahead, although he admits he is happy with the current state of the Grove-based outfit.

"The bounce came back in everyone's step last year knowing that we had put 2006 behind us," Michael told autosport.com. "And 2008 is about taking the next step towards the front again.

"There is a good feeling in the team, but not one of complacency. We want to get out there and compete properly. We know where we want to be, and we are not there yet, but we know where our targets are and everyone in the team can see that now."

Williams are due to run their definitive Melbourne-spec aerodynamics package in next week's test at Barcelona in Spain, their final run before the start of the season, but Michael has played down any talk that the new parts will lift them any closer to the front.

"I think it will just keep us where we are," he said. "Everyone has a (new) package for Melbourne, so everyone will improve. It will be the development rate over the season that will decide how quick people are."

When asked where he thinks Williams stand in the pecking order, judging by their impressive pace in winter testing, Michael said: "I think it is pretty hazy behind McLaren and Ferrari.

"I genuinely don't know where we are. And I don't think there has been any year in F1 where you really know where you are until after the first three or four races.

"In previous years we have gone to the first race, had a good run, and then after that had some pretty bad races. Then there have been years where we've gone to Australia, had a disaster, but then turned up in Malaysia and been flying. It is going to take a few races to sort things out."

Michael's cautious stance about the form of the team has been backed by Nakajima, who thinks that Williams are not the only team putting good performances in testing.

"Looking at other teams, I was impressed by (Fernando) Alonso. He was so fast and it looks like Red Bull can pull off some quick runs," he said. "So I cannot be too optimistic about our speed. It will be a tough fight."