Williams will have to revert back to an older specification front wing design after the two crashes they suffered in Monte-Carlo.
Rubens Barrichello crashed after hitting a loose drain cover during the race and Nico Hulkenberg’s race ended in the tunnel on lap one when his front wing failed following contact with an HRT.
Sam Michael said:
We’ve spent the past week or so manufacturing new parts in readiness for Istanbul after the damage we sustained in Monaco. All of the items that needed replacing have been replaced now, apart from the front wings which require more time. As a result, we have to revert back to a previous specification for this race and wait until Montreal for the updated version.
Sam Michael
The team are bringing some updates to Istanbul this weekend and are expecting improved performance from their Cosworth engines as well:
Cosworth have been working hard on the issues we have been seeing during the first part of the season and have had some positive indications from their dyno work. Istanbul will be an opportunity for us to test how these solutions look on the track.
In line with our development programme, both FW32s will have new brake ducts for Istanbul and some additional mechanical changes.
Sam Michael
Read more: Two crashes in costly race for Williams (Monaco GP team-by-team)
Matt Clinch
24th May 2010, 16:59
Have Williams confirmed that it was the drain cover that caused Rubens’ crash? I know Luizzi(?) though he saw something and some eagle-eyed journos investigating post-race put the idea to Williams, but not heard anymore since..
steph
24th May 2010, 17:03
Yeah it was a loose man-hole cover at turn 2
Here you go Matt http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83774
Matt Clinch
24th May 2010, 17:06
ah cool. thanks steph.
wasiF1
25th May 2010, 1:43
@ Matt Clinch
I think this article confirmed that
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/5/10818.html
Patrickl
24th May 2010, 21:37
That doesn’t really read like it’s determined that it’s the cause. More like Williams assume that that could be it.
Did FIA finish it’s investigation already?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
24th May 2010, 17:43
It was in the round-up on Saturday:
https://www.racefans.net/2010/05/22/f1-fanatic-round-up-2252010/
NomadIndian
24th May 2010, 19:44
But have FIA accepted or acknowledged it?
I feel they should since the race track had an effect on a racing car, significant cause it knocked out the car and it was a factor that was investigated and apparently not resolved sufficiently…
BasCB
24th May 2010, 20:50
From what i read on other sites, you were the only one to credit Adam Cooper with the find!
I still find this a very worrying find, with at least 2 loose covers, who knows what might have happened!
Calum
24th May 2010, 18:08
I found this kind of funny. In a previous issue (last year) of F1 Racing there was a feature on Williams creating a front wing from scratch and it goes on to say “spare a thought for the engineers when you crash into the barriers.” and well, both drivers crashed and they don’t have enough time to make new ones, I thought Williams had lots of resources :/
Krisq
24th May 2010, 19:13
I think had it been simply 2 new front wings needed, then maybe it could have been done. However given both car’s crashed so heavily maybe making new wings when they have stock of old ones leaves them short of other bodywork.
Tim
25th May 2010, 11:33
And they’ll need more than just 2 new front wings – the team has to bring several in case any are damaged in practice, qualifying or the race.
Presumably, running the new front wing for part of the weekend and having to revert back in the middle of the race would cause problems with the car’s set up.
BasCB
24th May 2010, 20:51
Williams is getting pretty much in trouble with their program. Is their budget that tight, or is construction of the front wings that complicated?
Dennis
24th May 2010, 23:26
I didn’t expect them to struggle as hard as they do at the moment. I really hope they will do better! I though they were happy with the new wing in qualifying?
Peter
25th May 2010, 14:46
Sir Frank Williams said during practice for the 1988 Canadian Grand Prix that for better or worse, if you’re an independent manufacturer in F1 then you need an engine deal with a major car manufacturer to be able to be competitive. He said this after he’d announced an engine deal with Renault from the 1989 season.
That turned out to be very true as Williams F1 have rarely been successful unless they had a major engine supplier (Honda, Renault, BMW). When they have had to use “customer” engines like the Judd V8 in 1988, Cosworth now etc, they are way off the pace and struggle to even score points let alone challenge for championships and race wins.
What Williams needs is an exclusive deal with an engine manufacturer. Until that happens, they can have the best people, even the best drivers. But they are never going to be any more than mid-field runners at best. I’d hate to see the team go down the same path as that other great British F1 name Tyrrell and become nothing but a memory in F1.
Just my opinion.