Williams has turn out to be the second Formulation 1 crew to disclose its new automotive for the upcoming season.
The crew held an occasion at Silverstone to current its Mercedes-powered FW47. The automotive has been revealed in what the crew calls a “bespoke one-off livery”. It is going to uncover its definitive livery at F1’s official pre-season launch occasion in London subsequent week.
Of their third 12 months underneath the management of crew principal James Vowles, Williams have made two important modifications. The primary is the hiring of ex-Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jnr, a four-times grand prix winner. He takes the seat Logan Sargeant occupied at first of final 12 months earlier than he was dropped at mid-season and changed by Franco Colapinto.
Sainz was chosen to drive the primary two laps within the FW47 on the brief model of the Silverstone circuit. “All the pieces went wonderful, which is nice information,” he mentioned afterwards. “An set up lap for a newly-born automotive is all the time a bit difficult, however all the things labored because it ought to and now we’re able to get into the run plan.”
His crew mate is Alexander Albon, who’s going into his fourth 12 months as a Williams driver.
The second main change on the crew is the arrival of the crew’s first title sponsor since 2019, Atlassian, which was introduced earlier this week. Vowles mentioned the significance of the crew’s first title sponsorship deal for 5 years shouldn’t be underestimated.
“Within the historical past of Williams that is by far – nothing, something near it – the most important partnership we’ve ever had,” he mentioned. “It’s most likely one of many largest, full cease, within the sport or in sports activities.”
The FW47 was designed underneath the brand new technical crew Vowles has put in place since he joined the crew from Mercedes. They embrace chief technical officer Pat Fry and design director Matt Harman, each of whom joined the crew from Alpine.
Williams fell from seventh within the 2023 championship to ninth final 12 months, following a season dogged by crashes. Nonetheless Vowles mentioned the crew remains to be prioritising its long-term improvement, the fruits of which he expects to begin seeing after this season.
“You’re going to see us progress forwards however what I’ve all the time mentioned is we’ve put our focus into ’26, ’27 and ’28,” he mentioned. “We’re growing parts that come on-line on account of that. We have now this 12 months large infrastructure modifications that come on-line. We had 700 folks, over 1,050 in the present day, and we’re not completed but. There’s much more within the pipeline.
“That’s all taking place within the background and what I need to ensure that we’re doing shouldn’t be taking simply the short-term, little little bit of achieve at the price of long-term. We’re right here to verify we’re again to successful championships. To do this will take a little bit bit extra time. However that’s the funding we’re doing.”
Video: Sainz driving the FW47 at Silverstone
Carlos Sainz Jnr places the primary two laps on Williams’ new FW47 on the brief monitor at Silverstone.#F1 pic.twitter.com/3nmfWn5CCg
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