Williams Confident of Progress

Team boss Frank Williams is refusing to panic as the introduction of new cars by title rivals Ferrari and McLaren looms, and insists his BMW-powered team have a "genuine challenger" of their own.

Williams have yet to win a race this season and their last success dates back to the Malaysian Grand Prix of 2002 when Ralf Schumacher claimed victory. Despite the threat of quicker cars being introduced by Ferrari and McLaren this season, Williams is still confident their car will be a winner by the second part of the season thanks to their development programme.

"We will have to see what Ferrari and McLaren bring with their new cars," Williams said. "I am sure there will be substantial improvements. We have our own programme which at the moment is delivering handsomely.

"It won't be good in every race but it's an aggressive, well-managed programme. I think it will be the second half of the year before hopefully we are a genuine challenger."

Williams have slipped to fourth in the manufacturers' standings behind McLaren, Ferrari and Renault but the team owner believes anything can happen this year.

"Every year it's the same thing, if someone wins the first race the first question is do you think the Championship is gone," he added. "There are four races and everything is open - it's exciting."