Williams Duo Upbeat about New Car

Both Williams drivers Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya are confident the new FW26 unveiled today will allow them to make a step forward in the 2004 season.

"I have tested some of the new elements of the FW26," said German Schumacher, who last year finished in fifth place in the drivers' standings. "And individually, they all have been a real step forward, whether the engine, the new gearbox, or all the other smaller but none the less significant components.

"So I am really fascinated to see how all of this works together, and it would be fair to say that my expectations are very high."

Colombian Montoya, who will leave the Williams team at the end of the season to join rivals McLaren, also admitted that he had high hopes for the radical-looking FW26.

"We had a great deal of anticipation about last year's car, and it turned out to be justified anticipation," added Montoya. "This season, there is an even greater degree of expectation about the potential of this car, and the great advance the team has made is to bring the whole validation process forward by a significant amount.

"I hope the car will be quick from the off, but now we have the benefit of a clear two month test programme in Spain before the first race."

The car will be tested for the first time this afternoon at the Valencia circuit in Spain, where it was unveiled this morning.