Wake up call for Williams

Juan Pablo Montoya was happy enough to score points at the Spanish Grand Prix last weekend but admits the performance of Williams is lacking. The Colombian finished fourth ahead of team-mate Ralf Schumacher but believes the team needs to step up its ...

Juan Pablo Montoya was happy enough to score points at the Spanish Grand Prix last weekend but admits the performance of Williams is lacking. The Colombian finished fourth ahead of team-mate Ralf Schumacher but believes the team needs to step up its pace and get back to winning.

Juan Pablo Montoya.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

"I think everybody is surprised at themselves over the lack of performance during the weekend and we need to step up our game," Montoya told Autosport. "It is good that we got points out of it for the team, but it will be a big wake-up call for everybody in the team -- including the drivers. Everybody wants to step up their game and everybody wants to win again."

Montoya was unhappy with the FW25 all weekend in Spain and both drivers struggled. Earlier this season Williams admitted the aerodynamics could be improved and the team still seems to be unsettled. Montoya knows only hard work will improve the situation.

"We have to work to make it better," he said. "You can't just say that is the way it is and just wait until the car is competitive. If you keep waiting and you don't work with the team then it will never happen."

BMW motorsport director Gerhard Berger recently said Williams had not provided a competitive enough chassis for the engine -- although BMW played down his remarks, saying they had been taken out of context.

The engine manufacturer intends to continue in F1 after its current partnership with Williams expires at the end of 2004, although whether it is with Williams or in another capacity is yet to be seen.