Monday January 10th, 2000

The new BMW-Williams team was launched with the unveiling of its livery on Monday, but only one driver was confirmed for the Formula One season starting in March.

Team owner Frank Williams said he was hoping to test at least two young hopefuls, including 19-year-old Briton Jenson Button and Brazilian Bruno Junquiera, at the Jerez circuit in Spain at the weekend before making a decision.

Williams have retained German Ralf Schumacher but are still discussing Italian Alessandro Zanardi's future, saying it is unclear whether Zanardi is staying with the team.

"We do plan to have a test with a few other drivers at the end of the week and we will announce the second driver at the same time as we unveil the new car and our new sponsors in Barcelona at the end of the month," Williams said.

Williams added he was prepared to take a massive risk in running a young driver in the new BMW-powered car because he felt that from 'time to time', it was worth taking such risks.

Button appears to be keeping his options open about the new season.

"I spoke to the Williams team last week, but we only talked about my future in general," he said. "There was nothing specific said about whether I would be driving for them in (the season-opening race in) Australia in March.

"I have talked to several teams as well, including Prost and Stewart, so I am still thinking about what I am going to do this season."

At the BMW launch, held at the German car-makers Munich headquarters, Williams chief aerodynamicist Geoff Willis said the new car -- to be designated the FW22 -- would be "completely new everywhere inside and outside".

The car on display at Monday's launch was a FW21B, in the new blue and white livery of the Anglo-German partnership.

BMW sporting director Gerhard Berger said he was very proud to be involved in the new partnership and praised Williams as a team with the right kind of racing spirit and experience to form a "perfect partnership" with BMW.

Berger said: "Our goal is to be competitive and running at the front and winning races by the end of this year or in the second year."

Williams said he thought the blue and white colours made the car look very attractive. "It is a very pretty car," he said, "and pretty cars are usually good cars and good cars are usually winners."