Theissen backs Webber to bounce back

Webber joined the BMW-powered Williams team last season, but the Australian failed to live up to the expectations and endured a lacklustre year. BMW left Williams and will now race under their own name.

Theissen admitted both Williams-BMW and Webber himself were disappointed with the driver's performance during 2005, but believes the Australian, still at Williams, should be able to bounce back.

"There was never a discussion about taking him on board because he has a Williams contract and it was always clear he would be a Williams driver in 2006," said Theissen during the launch of his team's new car.

"Mark's performance last year, certainly was not satisfactory to the team and to him. Mark said that himself. He was not happy with his performance.

"In my view Mark is one of the top qualifiers, one of the top two or three, excellent really, and he did not turn his capabilities and his starting position into the optimum results during the season.

"He had a few incidents and was several times unlucky in the early phase of the race. If he gets that straight he will be one of the very strong drivers in F1. I expect him to do that."