Williams Launch 2001 Challenger at Silverstone

The BMW Williams team unveiled their 2001 car, the FW23, at the Silverstone racing circuit today.

Designed by a team led by chief designer Gavin Fisher and chief aerodynamicist Geoff Willis to the new aerodynamic and structural regulations for the 2001 season, the FW23 is powered by a new BMW V10 engine.

The team hopes the new car will allow them to defend their third place in the Constructors' Championship, whilst reducing the gap to McLaren and Ferrari. Williams is among several teams who have switched tyre companies to Michelin.

Team principal Frank Williams is upbeat about the upcoming season: "Much is expected of the partnership in 2001 and everybody at the BMW WilliamsF1 Team is aware of this important responsibility."

"I want us to finish every race, have great pit work and good race strategy and maybe win a race or two â€" if the red and silver cars make a mistake."

Ralf Schumacher will be joined for the 2001 season by 1999 CART champion Juan Pablo Montoya will contest, with former Minardi driver Marc Gene as test driver. The BMW Williams team are expecting that Gene will play an important role in the new car's development during the year.

"We've got two really competitive drivers and there’s no doubt in my mind what they can do. I don’t think they'll get on marvellously, but that's not important â€" it’s what happens on the track that matters," said Williams.

Chief aerodynamicist Geoff Willis explains the differences between the new car and last year's effort, pointing out where most of the changes have occurred: "The FW23 is, in concept, an evolution of the FW22 with developments and improvements for the new engine installation and gearbox and a large number of changes reflecting the impact of the new regulations."

"We had a reasonably successful season last year, particularly considering it was our first with BMW," said chief designer Gavin Fisher. "However, it was clear that we still needed to make considerable progress to regularly compete with, and ultimately beat, McLaren and Ferrari."

Technical director of Williams, Patrick Head, is hoping that the team will be able to challenge for victories in only the second season of the BMW engine. "The aerodynamics of the car have been optimised around the new regulations, and we hope that this car and engine will permit our drivers to challenge for race wins in 2001," commented Head.

Mario Theissen, director of motorsport for BMW, is confident the new engine will enhance the FW23's performance. "The new smaller and lighter engine from BMW will assist with the chassis dynamics as well as providing greater power," said Thiessen.

The new FW23 will take the track for the first time this afternoon at Silverstone, before beginning a testing programme in Spain.