Williams Hold Meeting in Search for Performance

Williams-BMW made decisions to improve their package at a major meeting at the team's Grove headquarters on Wednesday, Juan Pablo Montoya revealed today.

Williams lie fourth in the Championship standings after a disappointing start to the season and all staff, including Montoya and teammate Ralf Schumacher, were called together ahead of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix.

The meeting, which lasted two and a half hours, was held in an attempt to help cure problems with the performance of the FW25 car as Williams attempt to end their search for victory, which stems back to the Malaysian Grand Prix in March last year when Ralf Schumacher won at Sepang.

"We had a big meeting at the factory yesterday with both drivers to improve things," said Montoya. "It went on for two and a half hours. The conclusion was we need to work harder and try to win.

"We are starting to understand the car a bit more. Things are going to take a bit of time and we know that. At one stage we had a lot more power than everybody else but now the others have caught up and it's not so much."

Montoya could have won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix had he not spun late in the race, but his second place in Melbourne is the team's only podium finish this year. But the Colombian claimed that Williams' technical staff need time to get the package right, with Ferrari the benchmark for success.

"I don't think the new Ferrari was that impressive - not as much as their old car," he added. "Of course, it was quick, but the way it used the rear tyres wasn't impressive. But what people have to understand is that just about everyone at Ferrari have been there for five or six years.

"At Williams, the only people who have been around for a long time are Patrick Head and Gavin Fisher. Everyone else is still pretty new. Sam Michael has only been here for a couple of years. It will take time."

Montoya is refusing to predict a major turnaround in fortunes at the A1-Ring this weekend, but believes Williams have the car to challenge for victory on the streets of Monaco in two weeks time.

"I don't know what to expect here," he said. "The last few tests we've been so strong and then get to the races and things haven't worked out. We have to figure out why.

"We've got good power but we haven't necessarily been the fastest on the straights - just look at Ferrari's figures. I think we have higher hopes at Monte Carlo than here. The car has a short wheelbase so should go around the hairpins pretty quick."