Williams takes wraps off car for new season

BARCELONA - Agence France-Presse

Williams’ Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado (L) and Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas pose behind the new Williams FW35 Formula One racing car. AFP photo

British Formula One outfit Williams became the latest team to unveil their new car for the 2013 season on the first day of testing at Barcelona’s Catalunya circuit yesterday.

The Renault-powered FW35 represents a virtually all-new car compared to last season’s FW34, Williams’ technical director Mike Coughlan said.

The FW35 “is an evolution of the FW34 of 2012, it’s better and more refined, with more than 80 percent new parts,” Coughlan explained.

The iconic British marque returned to the top of the podium for the first time in seven and a half years in 2012 with Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado’s win in the Spanish Grand Prix, here on the Catalunya track.

Maldonado, in his third season with Williams, will be partnered this term by 23-year-old Finn Valtteri Bottas, who has replaced Bruno Senna.

Team owner Sir Frank Williams said of Bottas, a test driver last season: “Valtteri is quieter but still waters run deep, and he is a highly-gifted driver.”

The 70-year-old Williams has high hopes for the FW35, saying: “A talented group of people with lots of imagination worked hard to produce the FW35. “We believe it represents a step forward to last year’s car which was already very competitive.”

He is convinced his team can fight their way back this season to again “challenge the very best.”
The new season starts with the Australian Grand Prix on March 17.