Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams says the team expect a “challenging” 2017 season following an unplanned change in their driver line-up during the off-season.
Valtteri Bottas was released to join Mercedes, prompting Felipe Massa to return from retirement. Bottas was the quicker of the two last year, and the team’s second seat has gone to rookie Lance Stroll.
Williams dropped two places in the teams’ points standings last year compared to 2015, and are braced for a tough season.
“After finishing fifth in the constructors’ championship in 2016 it will be a challenging year – especially as we enter this new era of racing,” said Williams.
“However, the team have been working extremely hard over the winter to deliver the maximum performance out of the car going into a brand new season.”
“There have been a lot of changes at Grove over the winter that could have been considerably distracting for all involved in the delivery of the FW40,” Williams continued, “but everyone has been incredibly professional, rolling up their sleeves and getting on with what’s important.”
Stroll has undergone an extensive preparation programme ahead of his debut which has included running in an unbranded Williams at several F1 circuits.
“I feel like I’m as prepared as I can be,” he said. “A lot of people have put in a lot of hard work to help get me to this point and I’m very grateful for that.”
“I hope that it’s a good first year for me but I will be taking it race by race. There is a lot of pressure on rookies but I have a great team around me and I just need to maintain focus and deliver.”
2017 F1 season
- Sepang pays Haas compensation for Grosjean’s 2017 crash
- Williams revenues rose in 2017 after Bottas deal with Mercedes
- Australian Grand Prix cost government £56 million last year
- “Grand Prix Driver” takes you inside McLaren’s nightmare final year with Honda
- Undisputed champion: 10 titles name Hamilton top driver of 2017
ColinChapman (@colinchapman)
27th February 2017, 11:32
Is it just me who really dislikes the T-wing? The shark fins I don’t mind especially when they are done well (Haas). But the T-wing on top really throws me off. Especially from the angle of the first photo. Higher than the rear wing and perched out in the middle of nowhere. Throws off the look in my opinion. Otherwise these new regulations have yeilded impressive looking cars.
GeeMac (@geemac)
27th February 2017, 11:46
Yeah, I’m with you. They spoil the look of the cars. I hope they’ll quickly go the way of the X-Wings…
nase
27th February 2017, 12:13
Yup, they’re horrendous.
Joao (@johnmilk)
27th February 2017, 12:18
a seagull on a shark fin
Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
27th February 2017, 21:33
I’ll take the T-wing only over the Panel Van Billboard every time. Yes, the T-wing is a little silly, but it’s little. And in profile, the little T is much less distracting than that huge piece of carbon signage.
However, now that the Shark Fin annoys Horner, I’m more open to their use. ;-)
GeeMac (@geemac)
27th February 2017, 11:44
As a lifelong Williams fan, I really am worried about how they will get on in 2017. The FW40 looks fairly underdeveloped, particularly in the bargeboard area and the sidepods which still look chunky even though they are heavily undercut.
After reading this, I’m very worried because Claire is normally perennially chipper about Williams prospects. I can only hope that Paddy Lowe and Dirk de Beer can start influencing the FW40 sooner rather than later…
Patrickl (@patrickl)
27th February 2017, 19:04
Odd that they seem to start looking for excuses already. Williams is usually pretty good after a big rule change aren’t they? In 2009 they were one of the few with the double diffuser right from the start. When the hybrid age started again they were doing well right away. Even challenging Mercedes at some races. While McLaren and Force India were nowhere with the same engine.