Williams: We were clumsy, not cheating

Frank Williams is adamant his team did not cheat in Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix, but has conceded to being “very clumsy".

After finishing second and fifth at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya were disqualified as their BMW Williams cars were deemed to have illegal air ducts to the front brakes of their cars.

Technical director Sam Michael made a plea of mitigation that there was no performance gain, but the race stewards adhered to the regulations and declared the results of the Williams’ duo void.

The Toyotas of Cristiano da Matta and Olivier Panis, who had finished eighth and 10th, were also disqualified for the same infringement, but it was Williams who paid the heavier price.

An internal investigation is certain to have been conducted by team principal Williams, who accepts the buck stops with him, and now the onus is on all within the organisation to make amends at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Indianapolis.

“Last weekend worked out well, other than the error we made,” revealed Williams.

“You could say the responsibility ends with me at the end of the day, but we’re a large organisation and a chain of events occurred which I am not willing to dissect.

“But we were very clumsy with that part. I think we all believe there’s no implication whatsoever of seeking an aerodynamic advantage with that by cheating.

“We just over overlooked something or didn’t check something. It bit us badly, we deserved to be bitten.

“We made a mistake, paid a heavy price and we have no quarrel with that. It’s behind us now as far as I’m concerned. We just have to learn from our mistakes and clearly we learned very heavily last weekend.”

The payment of bonus money to the team “is an undecided internal matter,” according to Williams, although BMW are apparently willing to pay their engineers.

Schumacher, meanwhile, has backed up his boss’ assertion the team are no cheaters and will now go all out for the result they are desperate for as BMW Williams have endured a miserable season.

“We were all disappointed, especially the mechanics,” said Schumacher.

“To me, it was a result we were desperately looking for, but that’s the way it is. In my time at Williams we have never had a problem.

“What happened in Canada was an unfortunate incident. As Frank has said we have never, and will never cheat. It was not our intention.

“It doesn’t change the fact we had a great race, I think everybody saw that. The car suited well to Montreal, and we can have another good race here and hopefully get some more points, although it will be more difficult.”

The fact Williams are fourth in the constructors’ championship, and that Montoya and Schumacher are sixth and seventh respectively in the drivers’ standings, reflects on the poor campaign so far for the Grove marque.

Although Williams needs at least one driver for next season, with Montoya heading to McLaren, his driver line-up for 2005 matters little in comparison to becoming a winning team again.

IRL racer Scott Dixon has already tested with the team, while Jacques Villeneuve could be given a test later this year, although Jaguar’s Mark Webber is favourite to land a seat with Williams.

But that is of little consequence to Williams at the present time as he said: “There’s a list. We know we need drivers.

“We’ve tested Scott and we may or may not test Jacques, but driver replacement isn’t directly in my focus.

“After the end of July things will become clearer. It will get more attention. But the biggest problem I have is making a winning racing car.”

Williams’ comment that he needed “drivers” drew the question regarding Schumacher’s future as the 28-year-old has been heavily linked with Toyota, although he insists he has not yet made a decision as to where he will be driving next year.

“At the present time Ralf hasn’t decided what he wants to do,” confirmed Williams.

“But we need to take precautions for the long term rather than suddenly get caught short at the wrong time when there are no relevant drivers available. We are in the market at all times looking and listening.”