How accomplished is the Williams FW36?

The rule changes made in F1 are not without consequences on the design of single-seaters. After Force India yesterday, which only revealed a profile drawing of its VJM-07, it is the turn of Williams, this morning, to publish sketches of his FW36, which will be entrusted this year to the 24-year-old Finn Valtteri Bottas and 32-year-old Brazilian Felipe Massa. Those from the front reveal, as expected, a somewhat unsightly nose that should be adopted by most of the board. According to the press release, this car is “the result of more than two years of research and development. » As a reminder, on the engine side Williams has left Renault for Mercedes.

“There is a lot more technology on cars this year, underlines Pat Symonds, head of the technical department of Sir Frank's team. We have had turbo engines in F1 in the past. What is different this time is that more than a change in engine type, we are dealing with a completely different system. We moved from atmospheric engines (V8.Editor’s note) equipped with a mild hybrid system (KERS. Editor’s note) to a completely integrated hybrid unit with, at its heart, completely new technology (ERS-H. Editor’s note)."

After signing a powertrain deal with Mercedes, Williams received the first computer drawings of the new V6 at the end of May, allowing Grove engineers to finalize the design of their new creation in mid-September. “ The building of the car went very well, Symonds explains. MBut reaching the weight limit was a great challenge. We succeeded, but it was not easy as the new power unit is heavier than the old V8. »

The aero was finalized during the first week of December, but developments are already expected for the opening Grand Prix in Melbourne. And Symonds concludes: “ From an aerodynamic point of view, I am confident that we will be closer to the cars in front. »

Find here the first drawings of the FW36.