Williams underestimated Ferrari gains

Williams finished the 2014 campaign as the second strongest team behind the dominance of Mercedes, enjoying four podium places in the final four grands prix, including a two-three finish in the concluding race in Abu Dhabi.

The belief within the Grove-based organisation was it would be able to carry over its form into the current campaign, only for Ferrari to emerge as Mercedes' nearest challenger to date.

Williams now finds itself playing catch up to Mercedes and Ferrari, notably with regard to tyre performance, which has so far proven a major area of concern.

Deputy team principal Williams told AUTOSPORT: "We came into the season, off the back of where we finished last season, with higher expectations, albeit based on where we thought everyone else would be as well.

"Ferrari have clearly done an amazing job over the winter - but they're Ferrari, of course they're going to.

"But I'm not sure any of us necessarily anticipated how much of an improvement in performance they would be able to deliver from the outset.

"Ferrari is doing such a great job with its tyres. Our track ops have to get an understanding of the tyres and what we're doing.

"It's going to be hard work for us, but it's the only the start of the season."

Four races into the year, Williams already trails Mercedes by 98 points and Ferrari by 46.

Williams admitted that left an air of disappointment in her team, but said it was tempered by realism over 2014's results.

"We did enjoy such great racing last year, particularly at the tail end, and to go to the podium the number of times we did was just mega. It was just awesome," added Williams.

"From my perspective and the team's perspective, we carried that feeling into this season, and expected it again from the outset.

"But because Ferrari has improved so much they have squeezed us out.

"I suppose the disappointment is there because we're not going racing and achieving results like we were at the tail end of last year.

"But then you have to counter that with the fact we're going up against Mercedes and Ferrari who have triple the budgets we have.

"We're only just behind them, and we're still ahead of the Red Bull and McLaren, whatever issues they may have.

"So although we're in Formula 1 to win, we as a team have to put a perspective on it, and appreciate this is where we are now.

"We've still made a massive jump to retain our consistency over the winter, and to still improve when everyone else around has improved as well."