FORMER grand prix world champions Williams launched the car they hope will catapult the Grove-based team back to the top of the Formula 1 grid - then got straight down to work.

The Winfield Williams event was in stark contrast to some of the earlier low-key launches by the team.

It was led by BBC sports presenter Steve Rider, who introduced the new driver line-up of Ralf Schumacher and Alex Zanardi to replace former world champion Jacques Villeneuve and Heinz-Harald Frentzen.

The car was finally unveiled to the sounds of Aboriginal music - a graphic of a hopping kangaroo dominates the side-pod.

"This team still has plenty of confidence," said founder Sir Frank Williams, who was knighted in the New Year's Honours for his services to motor sport.

"We are looking forward for a new opportunity and an exciting season. This is the first time I have seen the car complete and it looks very impressive.

"We are very optimistic about its chances, but we will have to wait and see throughout this week and the rest of the season." Williams are due to test the car for the next few days at the Circuit de Catalunya in preparation for the opening race in Melbourne on March 7.

Schumacher and former Indy Car champion Zanardi helped to unveil the 1999 challenger in Barcelona yesterday.

The Grove-based team failed to score a victory for the first time in ten years last season as they also lost their constructors' crown.

But the team are confident they can bounce back and again challenge McLaren and Ferrari, who dominated last year's competition.

Ralf Schumacher predicted his brother Michael would end Ferrari's Formula 1 famine by roaring to the world championship this year.

Schumacher junior said: "Michael can win the title. If everything is OK for him then he is going to be very difficult to beat."

Story date: Tuesday 26 January

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