Williams to announce drivers earlier

The Williams-BMW team has scheduled a major press announcement for the first week of January, twenty-four hours before it is due to take the wraps off its new car at the Bahrain International Circuit. The announcement is scheduled for January 6th in central London and will be followed by a press conference and photo call. With the identity of the team's second driver still unknown, we assume that is what they will announce that day before heading to Bahrain for the 2005 car launch. It is possible they will announce a new major sponsor/partner on that day, but it is believed to be the driver announcement.

Nick Heidfeld and Antonio Pizzonia remain the favorites to partner Mark Webber, though Red Bull's Vitantonio Liuzzi could make a late bid for the seat. However, the team never bothered to test Liuzzi before the testing break so that appears unlikely.