Williams expecting 'friendly alliance' to deliver

Williams-BMW seek the consistency of performance required to provide a genuine championship challenging opportunity for a driver pairing they consider the strongest in Formula One.

The team widely expected to emerge as the main opposition to Michael Schumacher and Ferrari this coming season unveiled their new car at a wet Silverstone yesterday. They hope it will be quicker, as well as more reliable and versatile than last year's model, which won four grands prix yet proved less effective on the slower circuits.

Inevitably, however, much of the attention was focused on the drivers, Germany's Ralf Schumacher and the Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, and their much aired and documented friendly alliance.

Frank Williams, the team owner, suggested that, "to everyone's disappointment, they get on fine." Although the drivers maintained they had a good working relationship they made no attempt to hide the sharp edge of their rivalry. Schumacher started the stronger last year and had three wins, but Montoya tilted the balance in the later stages of his maiden grand prix season, claiming his first victory in Italy. This year both will be vying for the title.

Montoya, who has patently earned the affection as well as the admiration of the Williams camp with his bold driving and ebullient personality, said: "We're just different people. I'm Latin, a lot more relaxed than him. Our cultures are different. But we've got to get on with it because if we don't work together we're going to hurt ourselves. We push each other even more. You always want to beat your team-mate and that's normal."

Schumacher looked distinctly subdued and uncomfortable compared with his South American colleague. He said: "I get fed up with this issue. We don't like each other particularly, but I'm working with him and he's one of the best team-mates I've had. As long as we don't crash, it's perfect."

Williams said he felt Schumacher would assert himself in what is for him, a critical year. The driver, evidently miffed, said: "I don't see it as a more critical year." But he did add: "I have to take it up another gear."

Williams insists both drivers will be given the chance to compete for the championship until only one is a realistic contender. "There is a protocol for such circumstances and common sense will prevail."

That has not always been the case at this racing team and time will tell whether that protocol will be respected.