Successful winter tests should give Williams cautious optimism for new F1 season

By Steven Oldham

While winter testing times are notoriously unreliable in gauging teams' real competitiveness come race day, the consistently quick laps put in by Williams should give the team renewed optimism ahead of the season opener in Melbourne in two weeks time.

After a poor ninth place finish in last year's constructor's championship, it is heartening to see Williams back at the top of the timing screens, even if it is only testing.

Never far away from initial pacesetters Mercedes and Force India, Williams have racked up an impressive amount of running in testing this year - only the Silver Arrows have put more km on the clock than Williams' 4,645km.

Bearing that in mind, it is no surprise to see the Mercedes and Williams near the front of the field - there is no such thing as too much mileage - every lap will give the teams more information.  By contrast, the recently all conquering Red Bull team lag way behind after a nightmare preseason, some 3,000km of valuable data behind their main contenders Mercedes.

A major factor in Williams' upturn is their switch from Renault to Mercedes engines.  It appears to be a canny decision to move engine suppliers - it is no coincidence that the Renault-engine teams have struggled as the French supplier struggles to adjust to the new regulations.  Red Bull and Lotus in particular have suffered in steep contrast to their success last year.

Meanwhile, the teams using German-badged engines have flourished.  A lot can change on race day, but it seems certain the popular team have turned a corner and will improve on last season's dismal showing.

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