First wet laps were “invaluable” for Williams

2017 Chinese Grand Prix

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The 14 laps Williams completed during the first practice session were “invaluable” according to chief technical officer Paddy Lowe as it was the first time they’d run their new car in wet conditions.

Williams were unable to participate in the planned day of wet weather testing pre-season as their car was damaged in a crash by Lance Stroll the previous day. However they seized a brief window of opportunity to run during the first practice session today.

Chinese Grand Prix practice in pictures
“Whilst it’s been a frustrating day for everyone, it’s probably more so for other teams, because we were able to make the best of the opportunity,” said Lowe.

“We didn’t run in the wet in Barcelona during the pre-season tests so we had never driven the car in the wet. It was particularly good for Lance, who has never driven any Formula One car in the wet.”

“The small amount of running we did on the full wets in FP1, and the sets of laps on the intermediates were actually invaluable as we learnt how the car behaves in wet conditions and on wet tyres.”

Lowe said the team was pleased with what it drivers learned in the seven laps each was able to do.

“The pace was encouraging for the car but also for Lance, who was able to drive with confidence in those conditions,” he said.

“From our point of view, we have a lot of homework to do ahead of qualifying and the race, which we haven’t done today, but it’s the same for everyone so that’s the challenge we face together.”

2017 Chinese Grand Prix

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    Keith Collantine
    Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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    One comment on “First wet laps were “invaluable” for Williams”

    1. I still need time to associates Lowe with Williams.
      Hoping he bring some secret technical trick he didn’t share before and move Williams closer to Mercedes asap.

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