Webber hopes for 'significant' gains

The Grove-based outfit have endured a major slump in performance, having failed to score a point since the European Grand Prix, and technical director Sam Michael admitted last week that they needed to 'regroup'.

With aerodynamic, bodywork and brake duct modifications due for Magny-Cours, Webber is well aware that the team's problems will be solved by a step forward in pace from the FW28.

"Clearly it's a very difficult time for us at the moment as we're not demonstrating the kind of form we want and we need to address this by getting some pace back into the car," he said.

"We will have some different parts on the car to help breach the gap to our opposition but, traditionally, most of the teams use the French Grand Prix as an upgrade point in the season, so it's important we make significant gains."

Teammate Nico Rosberg believes that the characteristics of Magny-Cours will also be a help to the team after the difficulties in Indianapolis.

"We'll be using the Silverstone aero package for this forthcoming race which, I believe, will improve our pace relative to that seen in America," he said.

Williams will also be boosted by the debut of the Series 6 CA2006 Cosworth engine for this weekend.