Williams unfazed by Ferrari power boost

Ferrari's latest V10 qualifying engine is thought to deliver much more power than its predecessor and is an attempt to cut the straightline speed advantage enjoyed in Italy last year by Williams, courtesy of its BMW powerplant.

BMW has produced its own improvements, but Ferrari's progress was highlighted in last week's Monza test. An unofficial speedtrap clocked Rubens Barrichello's Ferrari marginally quicker than the best Williams figure.

Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya is not worried by the Ferrari engine step, pointing to the power and reliability of his BMW motor.

Sam Michael, chief operations engineer at Williams, added that the Michelin tyres his team uses are looking good for Monza and that its best chances of winning again this year would come either at Monza or at the following race at Indianapolis.

See this week's AUTOSPORT, published on Thursday, for the full story.