The RoKit Williams F1 team unveiled a new look on Monday and were ready for a fresh start. However, deputy team principal Claire Williams admitted that there may not be a drastic turnaround for the Grove-based team.
The good news is that, even though the FW43 is based on its snail-like predecessor, there have been significant improvements. Though if we’re being honest, Williams F1 hauling itself from the back of the grid, will be a stretch too far.
Claire Williams declared that the team’s primary objective was to make significant progress. Design director Doug McKiernan Also revealed that the 2020 car does not possess many fundamental concept changes especially when compared to the nightmarish 2019 season.
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However, he was glad to say that many “problem areas” have been rectified and the car will not be as terrible to drive. McKiernan also disclosed that the team took every caution when selecting parts of the car to develop. Keeping their limited resources in mind, the team trained its focus on parts that would yield the most performance.
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Deputy boss Williams insisted: “We are not just hoping for a miracle and that we will suddenly find something extraordinary. That no longer happens in Formula 1.”
“But for me the glass is always half full. I believe in the team. We just need some time for all the changes that we want to introduce.”
One has to feel sorry for Williams F1
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Looking at it now, it would be hard to imagine that Williams F1 was once a championship-winning team. After boasting of fielding drivers like Nigel Mansell, Jacques Villeneuve, Damon Hill, the team has fallen light years away from grace.
On the positive side though, McLaren went through a similar slump when it partnered Honda. Fortunately, the Woking outfit has been rising up steadily with they partners, Renault, and will reunite with Mercedes next season.