Williams: New season, new ambitions

After the departure of Patrick Head as head of engineering, the Grove team has restructured the technical team currently working around the engine Renault, a new V8 that replaces the Cosworth. Mark Gillan said this season should allow Williams to raise his level of play, with regular points up for grabs and qualifying in Q3 (see the article here). Given the progress of the FW34, the man seems confident. “ The overall development of the car is progressing well and is in line with our planshe assured. We are planning our first tests at the beginning of February. The assembly of the car has just started and the process has changed radically from last year. We must quickly detect any small errors to avoid wasting as much time as in 2011. We passed the various crash tests before Christmas. The general performance seems very encouraging. Our schedule is consistent. » Williams F1 has still not revealed the presentation date of its car, but it hopes to see it running in Jerez, Spain, from February 7 to 10.

Mark Gillan also believes that the technical innovations imposed by the international federation will be likely to increase the spectacle. “ What made the difference in the performance of the cars was the blown exhaust. The FIA ​​has reduced its use, requiring new designs for the exhausts, which must now be oriented towards the rear, with a ban on blowing under the bodywork, as well as a new engine map. Last year, some teams used it. Others not? With the SREC and the DRS it will be even more open to overtaking, as the gaps will now be tighter ". Will the youth of their squad be a brake on performance, Pastor Maldonado only having one season under his belt, Bruno Senna competing in his first full championship after two years at HRT and LRGP (today Lotus F1 Team ), and Valterri Bottas, the reserve driver, having never started a race. “ It certainly adds a bit of pressure from an operational point of view. But we must see this as an opportunity to be seized. We certainly have three relatively inexperienced drivers, but all three have great potential and this can give us that “extra” which will allow us to gain strength throughout the season. ».