Williams Deny Ultra-Effective Brake System

The Williams team have denied using an ultra-effective braking system following the claims from some observers who think such system would justify the accidents their drivers have been involved in so far this season.

German Ralf Schumacher saw how Jacques Villeneuve's BAR crashed into the back of his Williams at the season opening Australian Grand Prix and Rubens Barrichello's Ferrari did the same in Brazil ten days ago.

Meanwhile, teammate Juan Pablo Montoya was also forced out of the race after Jos Verstappen crashed his Arrows into the Williams car under braking at Interlagos.

Some Formula One observers have claimed the Grove-based team were using an efficient braking system which enabled their drivers to slow down faster than their rivals.

However, the BMW-powered oufit have dismissed those claims.

"I can't think why you would get towed up to a Williams more than another car," Chief Aerodynamicist Geoff Willis told Motorsport News. "We were certainly running high fuel loads in both Melbourne and Brazil, which would naturally result in an earlier braking point than usual. That may be related to it.

"I think it's more a matter of brain-fade. It's always been the case at any level of racing that if you punt the bloke in front of you, it's your fault. It's part of the business of being a top-level driver that they are able to sit 15ft behind another car and brake at the right point."