Williams plan improvements for French GP

Williams are planning to make improvements to the performance of their car in time for the French Grand Prix in July.

The BMW-powered Williams team have had a less than satisfactory start to the 2004 season, currently lying fourth in the constructors’ standings behind top runners Ferrari, Renault and BAR.

Last season Williams finished second overall in the constructors’ championship, beaten only by Ferrari, but this year the car has failed to live up to its expectations despite improvements since the opening race in Australia back in March.

The team’s best finish this season was Juan Pablo Montoya’s second place in Malaysia but both Montoya and team-mate Ralf Schumacher have struggled to consistently keep up with the top running teams.

But Williams are hoping to increase the performance of the FW26 for round 10 of the championship at Magny Cours on July 4, the race which Ralf Schumacher won last year.

“Our plan is to get back to the front. And I can see how to do it with this car,” Williams technical director Sam Michael told www.bmw.williamsf1.com.

And team principal Frank Williams echoed Michael’s optimism.

“Last year we cracked it and although we are struggling a little with the car, if the plan goes well then from the French Grand Prix we should start to deliver.

“The car has got life in it yet,” Williams said.