The new FW32 completed almost 7,000kms during winter testing with the new Cosworth engine and the Williams team are confident that they have made great progress on reliability ahead of this weekend’s season opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Performance has been solid throughout the test sessions, but the real test will take place this weekend after they tested the majority of their Bahrain race package in Barcelona, while a couple of additional parts will go straight to the race.

Rubens Barrichello is eagerly awaiting his first race with the team as he prepares to enter what will be his record breaking eighteenth season in the sport....

“I'm delighted to be entering my eighteenth season. I'm so motivated and I'm in a much better physical condition than I have been at any other time. I'm also really happy to be driving for AT&T Williams. I've settled in well, and I already feel like I've been here five years!” he said.

“We covered a lot of miles with the car during winter testing, working on reliability during the first few tests and then some upgrades for Bahrain at the final two. In terms of set-up, reliability and drivability of the engine, we've done a good job. The car has improved a lot and the team have done well preparing me so I'm completely familiar with everything heading into the first race.”

“I think we’re strong, I'm optimistic, but it is very hard to draw a conclusion as to where we are so I'm going to wait and see. It's going to be a fantastic season with the new teams, the new drivers and the new regulations.”