Reliability and consistency the keys

Engine reliability and consistency in scoring points are the two main keys to this year's championship, according to Juan Pablo Montoya. Ferrari is renowned for its reliability -- the Scuderia hasn't had an engine failure for over two years -- but Montoya believes Williams will be up to the challenge.

Juan Pablo Montoya.

Photo by Dario Bonazza.

"I think that Ferrari are going to be strong again, like every year," the Colombian told Reuters. "Their reliability has always been very impressive, especially Michael's car, and I think that they will be as reliable as us."

"Our car is a big step forward from last year," he added. "I think that if they are quicker than us in the first race it doesn't mean they are going to win the Championship. I think if we win the first race it doesn't mean that's it. It's a long season, we have two more races than before and consistency in scoring points is going to be one of the keys."

Teammate Ralf Schumacher agrees that brother Michael is still the one to beat but thinks it will be even tougher for him this season. "Of course Michael is the benchmark but I think the competition has caught up," said Ralf. "He will have a real fight on his hands this season."

Michael himself is well aware of the hard job in front of him: "We enjoy challenges, we've never turned away from one and will not do so now," the reigning champion said of the coming season.

"We're very well prepared and we have the desire to win and so I don't see why we can't aim to win both world titles…every driver wants to win; it is the nature of our job, and it's true for all of us. The closer the title is, the tougher the battle becomes."