Williams duo glad guessing game is over

"After all the pre-season testing and guessing games, I don't think there'll be a driver on the grid who's not looking forward to getting down to what it's all about, and that's pitching yourself against everyone else," said Webber in a team preview.

"The first race always has an extra buzz because it delivers the answers to those unresolved questions from pre-season testing. I'm looking forward to seeing where we're at and to see what the first part of the season may bring for Williams. Bahrain can't come quick enough."

Williams, who endured a poor season in 2005 with BMW engines, have switched to Cosworth units for this year and will also use Bridgestone tyres instead of Michelins.

The team have also signed Nico Rosberg to partner Webber, the young German making his Grand Prix debut in Bahrain after winning the GP2 title last year.

Rosberg, like Webber, admitted he was looking forward to starting racing.

"After so much testing, it's going be good to finally race and it will be very interesting to see where we are compared with the others teams," said Rosberg. "I'm very confident, though, as the recent tests have been going well for me and I feel very much at home in the car.

"I am looking forward to my first Formula One race, especially because it's on a track that I really enjoy and one that I have had great success at having won the GP2 Championship there last year."