Williams Happy with Driver Rivalry

Williams are expecting sparks between their two Formula One drivers this season but hope they are mature enough not to clash physically on the track.

Technical director Patrick Head said on Saturday at the presentation of the new FW23 car that he did not expect newly-signed Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya and German Ralf Schumacher to be best of friends in 2001.

Montoya was 1999 Champ Car champion in the United States and arrives in Formula One with considerable expectations and a formidable reputation.

Schumacher, younger brother of world champion Michael, has been in Formula One four years and is seeking a first win after repeated visits to the podium.

Neither has precedence over the other.

"There's bound to be a bit of friction over the year and it's bound to cause a few column inches," said Head.

"I hope it will be clean, straightforward stuff on the track and I hope they are both mature enough that we won't get what I think the Prost team had a couple of times in 2000 when their two drivers collided with each other.

"That is probably the worst result you can get, where your two drivers actually bump into each other and knock each other off. I hope that doesn't happen."

Head said early indications were that the drivers were getting on as well as was to be expected.

"They don't go out of the motor home slapping each other on the back and planning their next holiday together but they seem to be fairly civil to each other," he said.

Nigel and Nelson

Williams have had trouble with highly-talented individuals before now, notably with Briton Nigel Mansell and Brazilian Nelson Piquet in 1986.

Mansell won five races that season to Piquet's four but, although Williams won the constructors' title, neither was world champion that year.

Frenchman Alain Prost took the crown in a McLaren by two points from Mansell as the Williams men scuppered each other's chances with their fierce rivalry.

"We've had needle before at extreme levels between drivers, Nigel and Nelson particularly," said Head.

"They weren't really at each others' throats but they were certainly chalk and cheese.

"I don't think any problems between Juan Pablo and Ralf will be as strong as that.

"I think they'll do their speaking on the track."

Team boss Frank Williams said he expected "a bit of jealousy" between the two if one got to win first.

"They are just two hard-headed characters and it's not in their nature I think to seek to be best friends with their partner. I'm sure they are wise enough to seek to have a working relationship," he said.

Gerhard Berger, the former grand prix driver who now works as motorsport director for Williams engine partner BMW, said he was not too worried about driver relations.

"So long as they don't want the same girlfriend...for us its important to build a competitive package and then to have two guys who can use it to the limit," he said.

"We know from experience that if you have two guys capable of winning races the atmosphere is a bit stressed sometimes. But I think it's better this way than to have a nice atmosphere but no success."