"It's nearly always been the case that a couple of teams have dominated Formula One but I think the guys at Williams-BMW will be making it three teams fighting over the wins pretty soon," said Scheckter.

"Ferrari and McLaren dominating is nothing new - and it is simple really because the teams with the best guys and the most money will always be on top. There is no secret to it."

Canadian Jacques Villeneuve grabbed Williams' last victory at the Luxembourg Grand Prix at the Nurburgring in Germany in 1997 while on his way to the drivers' crown.

After Villeneuve's success the team suffered two years in the doldrums before marking their first year of an engine deal with BMW last season by finishing third in the constructors' championship.

But their points total of 36 was still a massive 116 behind McLaren and a further 18 adrift of Ferrari, who completed a title double with Michael Schumacher regaining the drivers' championship.

The team nonetheless have high hopes of making further progress this season when they expect to have an even better power package.

Germany's Ralf Schumacher will be partnered by Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, the replacement for Britain's Jenson Button who has been loaned out to Benetton for two years.