Williams reveals interim FW33 in Valencia

As most of the F1 teams Williams also presented its 2011 car in the morning of the first official testing in Valencia. The FW33 is once again powered by Cosworth but appeared in Valencia in an interim version. The final colour scheme as well as specs will be presented at a later date.

“Until you start testing you’re never sure how you’re going to stack up against the opposition, but we’re optimistic,” said Williams’ technical director Sam Michael. “We think this is a good car, but we’ll have a better overall picture in a few weeks time.”

In order to make the best use of the new regulations being implemented in 2011, Williams took on an innovative approach to the new car. Aerodynamicists had to look for new downforce solutions because of the ban on double diffusers and the F-duct. The reintroduction of the KERS system also resulted in some changes in the layout of the new car. The also had to prepare for the introduction of the new Pirelli tyres.

“The design of this year’s car has been pretty smooth,” continued Michael. “We’ve improved our way of working by increasing the communication between the mechanical and aerodynamic departments, and that improved our decision making processes. It allowed us to increase the optimisation time spent on each part of the car.”

Still the FW33 presented today is not the final version of the new single-seater. The final version will receive an aero upgrade that will be seen in Bahrain during the first race of the season. Other upgrades should take place along the season, with Michael and his team expecting to reach the levels of 2010, with less aero freedom in the rules.

“Our ambition is get back to the front of the grid,” added team principal Frank Williams. “We know that won’t be easy, but we hope this car will take us closer to the leaders than we were in 2010. As a team, we’re as ambitious now as we’ve ever been.”