Williams has change into the second System 1 group to disclose its new automotive for the upcoming season.
The group held an occasion at Silverstone to current its Mercedes-powered FW47. The automotive has been revealed in what the group calls a “bespoke one-off livery”. It’ll uncover its definitive livery at F1’s official pre-season launch occasion in London subsequent week.
Of their third 12 months beneath the management of group principal James Vowles, Williams have made two important adjustments. The primary is the hiring of ex-Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jnr, a four-times grand prix winner. He takes the seat Logan Sargeant occupied at first of final 12 months earlier than he was dropped at mid-season and changed by Franco Colapinto.
Sainz was chosen to drive the primary two laps within the FW47 on the brief model of the Silverstone circuit. “All the pieces went wonderful, which is nice information,” he mentioned afterwards. “An set up lap for a newly-born automotive is at all times a bit tough, however all the pieces labored because it ought to and now we’re able to get into the run plan.”
His group mate is Alexander Albon, who’s going into his fourth 12 months as a Williams driver.
The second main change on the group is the arrival of the group’s first title sponsor since 2019, Atlassian, which was introduced earlier this week. Vowles mentioned the significance of the group’s first title sponsorship deal for 5 years shouldn’t be underestimated.
“Within the historical past of Williams that is by far – nothing, something near it – the most important partnership we’ve ever had,” he mentioned. “It’s most likely one of many largest, full cease, within the sport or in sports activities.”
The FW47 was designed beneath the brand new technical group Vowles has put in place since he joined the group from Mercedes. They embody chief technical officer Pat Fry and design director Matt Harman, each of whom joined the group from Alpine.
Williams fell from seventh within the 2023 championship to ninth final 12 months, following a season dogged by crashes. Nonetheless Vowles mentioned the group remains to be prioritising its long-term growth, the fruits of which he expects to start out seeing after this season.
“You’re going to see us progress forwards however what I’ve at all times mentioned is we’ve put our focus into ’26, ’27 and ’28,” he mentioned. “We’re creating parts that come on-line because of that. We now have this 12 months large infrastructure adjustments that come on-line. We had 700 individuals, over 1,050 immediately, and we’re not completed but. There’s much more within the pipeline.
“That’s all occurring within the background and what I need to guarantee that we’re doing just isn’t taking simply the short-term, little little bit of acquire at the price of long-term. We’re right here to verify we’re again to profitable championships. To do this will take a bit of bit extra time. However that’s the funding we’re doing.”
Video: Sainz driving the FW47 at Silverstone
Carlos Sainz Jnr places the primary two laps on Williams’ new FW47 on the brief monitor at Silverstone.#F1 pic.twitter.com/3nmfWn5CCg
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