(Image credit to: Williams Martini Racing)
The first Williams to be fully designed under new technical chief Paddy Lowe, the car boasts a new aerodynamic philosophy, with a number of significant differences to its predecessor.
Apart from the compulsory halo head protection device, the Williams features a fin running along its engine cover – not too dissimilar to the now banned shark fins of last season.
“It’s very exciting to be giving everyone the first look at the FW41,” said Lowe. “The car has many new features, most of which are not all that obvious, but externally the team has pursued a very different aerodynamic concept which has allowed us some significant progress in aerodynamic performance.
All Formula 1 cars are an evolution of what has gone before to some extent, but the FW41 does involve a number of departures from the directions that have been pursued in the past.
Overall, the philosophy we are starting to see emerge is a new approach to the collaboration between aerodynamics and design to achieve the optimum working result.”
Lowe added that developments from the Mercedes power unit also shaped the car’s packaging.
Mercedes is understood to have pursued a different engine concept to previous seasons.
Williams will field the youngest driver line-up on the grid this season, with 19-year-old Lance Stroll joined by rookie Sergey Sirotkin in 2018.
The pair are hoping to improve on Williams’ disappointing 2017 performance, when the team finished fifth in the constructors’ championship and was unable to challenge Force India in fourth.
“With a season under my belt with the team, I can’t wait to get back on track and see what the new car is like,” said Stroll.
“Until we are on track we will not know what the competition has been doing, but I am very optimistic about the car the team has built.
Last year was a steep learning curve for me and now I can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store.”
Sirotkin added: “I’ve been in the simulator regularly, going through different set-ups with the car, different tracks, seat fittings and also a lot of engineering meetings and factory tours to meet everyone.
I’ve been having fun with all the guys from different departments. It’s busy times, but I am really enjoying it. I’m getting ready for the season in the best possible way.”
The FW41 will get its first on track outing at preseason testing, which will begin in Spain on February 26th.
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Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
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