Williams has unveiled its 2024 Formula 1 car, which has been delayed due to the team taking a significant risk with its design. In previous years, Williams would have already tested its new car at Silverstone, but this is not the case with the FW46. While we know what the car will look like in terms of its livery, we are still waiting for the actual vehicle to be revealed. The FW46 was never intended to be part of the season launch and there have been no renders of the car. It will only make its debut next Tuesday in Bahrain, just one day before testing begins.
The late arrival of the FW46 is attributed to the team’s extensive changes in how they conceive and develop their chassis and other key parts of the car. Williams’ team boss, James Vowles, acknowledges that these changes have pushed the team beyond their comfort zone and disrupted their outdated technology cycles. Vowles believes that these changes are necessary for Williams to become a more competitive team in the modern era of Formula 1. While he is happy with how the new car fits into the team’s overall vision, he admits that it is late as a result of the risks taken.
Unlike the disastrous 2019 season, where Williams’ car missed the start of testing and encountered numerous issues, the delay with the FW46 does not seem to be causing similar problems. Vowles suggests that they could have run the car at Silverstone but instead prioritized virtual testing to avoid wasting time in unfavorable conditions. The team is pushing the limits with the FW46 and believes that Bahrain will provide the best opportunity to get started.
The FW46 is expected to be a departure from its predecessor not only in terms of the technologies used, but also in terms of its on-track performance. Williams has struggled in certain areas in recent seasons, particularly in high-speed and low-speed corners. Vowles hopes that the FW46 will address these weaknesses and make the team more competitive across different tracks. The team has focused on vehicle dynamics, performance, and aerodynamics to create a solid foundation for the new car. Vowles has emphasized the importance of pushing boundaries and not being afraid of failure in order to achieve success.
The team has faced challenges and pressure during the development of the FW46, but Vowles is confident that their approach is the right one for the future.
According to the Source the-race.com