Williams sorry to see Webber go

Webber's option with the team ran out on the Monday after the German Grand Prix and, once expired, the team swiftly moved to confirm a deal with Alexander Wurz.

Although the team have nothing but praise for Webber, Williams claims that no consideration was given to waiting for him in a bid to convince him to stay.

"Absolutely not," said Williams, who claimed that his team wanted to be in total control of their driver situation.

"We were worried about press comment - that Williams is out of control again, can't run their own teams, are only reacting to events. Bollocks to that - and excuse the language."

Williams denied that there had been any major breakdown in relationship with Webber over the team's poor results this year.

Instead, he said that the Australian driver's decision to hold on for the chance of a seat elsewhere - believed to be either at Renault or Red Bull Racing - was fully understandable.

"Mark recognized that we were trying to do our best with what we could, but it didn't work out. It may suddenly come good, who knows?

"I understand what the opportunity is. And anyone would do whatever it took to get that opportunity. He has a realistic good chance of getting it and I sincerely hope it falls into his lap."

When asked by autosport.com about how highly he rated Webber, Williams said: "Mark made a big step this year.

"He is a very good driver. If he gets the opportunity I feel he will make a lot of it. I will be very happy for him. He is a straight guy; he doesn't come with fancy ideas about himself. He tells it how it is. He is a man's man. He is everything. I would recommend him to anybody.

"But he has been unhappy this year. He has contained it very well, but we know him quite well. He has contained it pretty damn well, but he is a frustrated man."