• First Barcelona Test, Day Four

Williams eyeing immediate challenge - Bottas

Valtteri Bottas ran through pit stop practice and did 23 laps on Friday due to the weather © Sutton Images

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• Drivers:
• Valtteri Bottas

• Teams:
• Williams

Valtteri Bottas says Williams is targeting a challenge at the front of the grid immediately this season.

After completing his running in the FW35 for the second test at Barcelona, Bottas was asked who he thought Williams' main rivals would be in Melbourne. While admitting it's tough to work out the pecking order, he highlighted teams that are expected to challenge for race wins as he revealed Williams wants to challenge at the front from the start of the season.

"It's difficult to judge, but for sure Red Bull, McLaren and Lotus are strong," Bottas said. "That's for sure, but maybe in the next test we'll see a little bit more, but finally in qualifying in Melbourne. We're trying [to challenge at the front immediately], that's our aim; to get higher."

While enthusiastic about the performance of the FW35, Bottas said there were areas Williams would be focusing on improving at the final test next week.

"There's some balance things in the car that we can still improve, especially with the little bit less fuel than high fuel. So we can still improve the car quite a bit and we are aware of the problems we have, they're all fixable so it's looking good.

"I think with everything we're really on the plan. Of course this [weather] was not planned, we missed some laps because of the rain but that's the same for everyone now so we're on the plan and we'll continue to push in all areas at the next test."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.