Williams set to unveil new line-up

Williams will unveil their 2005 driver line-up tomorrow in Valencia, with Antonio Pizzonia and Nick Heidfeld waiting nervously on the outcome.

Mark Webber was confirmed as a Williams driver before the 2004 season ended but the identity of his partner for this year has been a matter for debate for many weeks.

Originally, Williams wanted Jenson Button the race alongside Webber but the Englishman’s attempts to leave BAR were blocked by Formula One’s contract recognition board.

That left test driver Pizzonia in pole position to land the seat after impressing in four races as a stand-in for the injured Ralf Schumacher last year.

But Williams invited Anthony Davidson and Nick Heidfeld to test for them as they deliberated and the German has clocked some impressive lap times over the winter after BAR blocked his English rival’s planned move.

Williams are now deciding whether Pizzonia or Heidfeld should get the drive, with no clues as to what the outcome will be.

Heidfeld has been marginally quicker in testing and engine supplier BMW would welcome a German driver to replace Schumacher.

But testing times are difficult to interpret, with many factors effecting performance, and BMW have always stressed nationality is a secondary concern to them behind a driver’s talent.

Pizzonia has a powerful ally in Brazilian company Petrobras, who have a lucrative sponsorship deal with Williams, and the team were particularly impressed with his displays last season.

But Webber has made no secret of his preference for Heidfeld as a team-mate after partnering, and comprehensively beating, Pizzonia at Jaguar.

The decision will be revealed at Williams’ 2005 launch in Valencia tomorrow and recent history suggests the team may leave it late to reach a conclusion.

In 2000, Button, who had been slower than regular tester Bruno Junqueira in a shoot-out, was only told he was a Williams driver minutes before the launch of that year’s car.

Both Pizzonia and Heidfeld are likely to be Williams drivers next season regardless of tomorrow’s decision as the unlucky driver is expected to take up a testing role.