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Source: Reuters -
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Former champions Williams looked forward to a strong start to the Formula One season after Nico Rosberg set the pace in both practice sessions at the Australian Grand Prix on Friday.
"My hopes are higher than before that we can consistently score points," the German told reporters at the Albert Park circuit.
"It was great for the whole team to finish first twice, and we haven't done anything differently from what we would normally do," he added.
"We've made a good step forward, although how much I really can't say, but for the first few races I think we are going to be able to enjoy ourselves.
"I see it as an omen that this is a positive start for us, that would be great."
Rosberg finished third in Melbourne last year but that proved a false dawn, with the 23-year-old ending the championship in 13th place and making clear to the team that he expected a better car this year.
Williams, celebrating the 30th anniversary of their first win at Silverstone in 1979 and founder Frank Williams's 40th year in Formula One, have not won a grand prix since Brazil in October 2004.
However, the regulations have changed significantly this season, levelling the playing field and opening up the chance of a major shift in the hierarchy.
Winter homework
"It was not too bad, the guys have been doing their homework over the winter," team co-owner Patrick Head told Reuters when asked about the day's work.
"We don't think we are the fastest car but I think we'll be in the top half anyway," he added.
Toyota-powered Williams were one of the three teams cleared to race on Thursday after stewards rejected a protest by rivals Ferrari, Red Bull and Renault that their car was in breach of the rules.
Head said that Brawn GP and Toyota, who are also using controversial rear diffusers that others say are too large, looked quick on Friday's evidence while McLaren appeared to be paying the price of success.
"I still think that Brawn looked in pretty good shape, I still think they are genuinely a bit quicker than us but we will see," he said of the team that has replaced Honda on the starting grid.
"The main reason that McLaren are behind, if they are, is that they were spending so much of their resources last year trying to win the championship whereas Honda as good as said we've given up on the year after one or two races and spent all their
time on 2009.
"But I think the rate of development at McLaren will be very high," added Head. "I think the pecking order will change quite a lot in the early part of the year."
McLaren's world champion Lewis Hamilton ended the day's second session 18th out of the 20 drivers.
