- News>
- Motorsports
BMW boss confident of team winning title this season
London, Aug 07: BMW motorsport boss Gerhard Berger believes the BMW Williams team can win the Formula One world championship this season.
London, Aug 07: BMW motorsport boss Gerhard Berger believes the BMW Williams team can win the Formula One world championship this season.
The Austrian's remarks come after Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya closed to just six points adrift of championship leader Michael Schumacher of Ferrari following his victory in the German Grand Prix.
Berger, who was Ayrton Senna's team-mate at McLaren when the Brazilian won the title in 1990 and 1991, believes Williams are "ready for the title", but that they will have to conquer nerves to succeed.
He said: "Now, in the last third of the season, we are entering the most exciting phase.
"I know that situation from the time when I was driving myself. Currently the situation is rather relaxed.
"Our two one-twos before Silverstone have provided us with the chance to fight for the title against Ferrari and McLaren.
"But this means that we might get under a lot of pressure suddenly two or three races before the end of the season.
"And all team members, from drivers to mechanics, will have to be able to stand this pressure.
"This is a situation we haven't experienced so far, nevertheless I think that our team is ready for the title."
Williams have not battled for the championship since 1997, when Jacques Villeneuve eventually beat Schumacher in a showdown at the final race. But that was before Williams' link-up with BMW, and the staff at the team has been fundamentally overhauled since then.
Bureau Report
The Austrian's remarks come after Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya closed to just six points adrift of championship leader Michael Schumacher of Ferrari following his victory in the German Grand Prix.
Berger, who was Ayrton Senna's team-mate at McLaren when the Brazilian won the title in 1990 and 1991, believes Williams are "ready for the title", but that they will have to conquer nerves to succeed.
He said: "Now, in the last third of the season, we are entering the most exciting phase.
"I know that situation from the time when I was driving myself. Currently the situation is rather relaxed.
"Our two one-twos before Silverstone have provided us with the chance to fight for the title against Ferrari and McLaren.
"But this means that we might get under a lot of pressure suddenly two or three races before the end of the season.
"And all team members, from drivers to mechanics, will have to be able to stand this pressure.
"This is a situation we haven't experienced so far, nevertheless I think that our team is ready for the title."
Williams have not battled for the championship since 1997, when Jacques Villeneuve eventually beat Schumacher in a showdown at the final race. But that was before Williams' link-up with BMW, and the staff at the team has been fundamentally overhauled since then.
Bureau Report