The Williams Racing team, based in Grove, recently unveiled its new livery for the upcoming season during a launch event in New York earlier this month.
Originally planning a filming day at Silverstone, the team decided to forgo it due to uncertain weather conditions and instead opted to reveal their new FW46 challenger just before the official pre-season testing commences.
Social media posts showcased the debut of the new car driven by Logan Sargeant as it emerged from the garage at the Sakhir circuit. Under the ownership of Dorilton Capital and the leadership of team principal James Vowles, Williams Racing is undergoing a transformation initiated last year.
Vowles made the strategic decision to halt development on the 2023 car ahead of schedule, allowing the team to focus more intensely on the improvements necessary for the upcoming season.
Williams Racing’s Head of Vehicle Performance, Dave Robson, shared insights into the new car, mentioning that while it may not appear drastically different visually, significant enhancements have been made to potentially elevate its performance.
Describing the changes as a combination of evolution and step change, Robson explained, “Visibly it will look like an evolution, but I think the subtleties of it are hopefully quite different. So things like front locking, some of the balance characteristics, hopefully, we will unlock some big steps now.”
Despite the anticipation, Robson acknowledged the challenges of maximizing the car’s potential during the limited Bahrain testing period.
Reflecting on the previous season, where Williams Racing finished seventh in the constructors’ championship, Robson noted the inconsistent performance of the FW45 car, particularly in challenging conditions.
He identified wind as a significant factor affecting the car’s balance and highlighted specific corner types, such as long, sweeping turns, as areas where improvements were necessary to address issues like front locking during entry.
