As Williams makes its worst start to a championship campaign in living memory, team chairman Adam Parr admits that the situation is "unacceptable" and that changes need to be made.

In Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix, the Grove outfit saw both its drivers take the chequered flag for the first time this year. Nonetheless, it has only completed 58.2% of the laps that comprise the season thus far and it's finishing record places it lower than Hispania.

Speaking to Reuters, Parr acknowledges that there is a problem and that it has to be rectified… PDQ.

"We recognise that things have to change and so the message is 'We will be changing things'," he vowed.

Asked whether this will mean hirings and firings, he replied: "You can't change what we are doing without changing people. There are three things you can do. You can change organisation and structure, people can come and people can go. I think we have to look at all three."

He was quick to dismiss claims that the team's dismal start is due to a lack of budget - somewhat ironic considering the company's recent floatation.

"It's not lack of budget. It can't be lack of budget," he said. "There are other teams out there who have resources certainly no greater than ours who are doing a better job.

"It's completely unacceptable," he continued. "Yes, we will get on top of this season as we did last year when we started very poorly and clawed our way back up. But we can't start where we are starting every year. "We are not going forwards so we are going to have to make changes to make sure we do move forwards."

In a move somewhat reminiscent of those football clubs that give their manager their total backing and support, just days before they fire him, Parr turned his attention to technical director Sam Michael.

"Sam is an exceptionally gifted, hard-working, clever and dedicated person," he said. "The last thing that he needs is anyone else telling him where we are or whether he should be worried or not. If Sam thought that the right thing for the team is for him to stop, he'd stop tomorrow. He wouldn't even quibble.... he will do whatever is necessary for the team.

"I think it's organisation, bringing in some talent and if we have areas where we are not performing then we have to look at it," he added. "We have to make some tough decisions. If it was a driver, you wouldn't even think about it would you? We have to aim always to have the best and if we don't have it I don't think we should put up with that."