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Friday, March 29, 2024

Williams declare fresh start after dismal 2019 season

Duration: 00:59s 0 shares 1 views

Williams declare fresh start after dismal 2019 season
Williams declare fresh start after dismal 2019 season

Former Formula One champions Williams hope their new car will revive their fortunes after last season's disappointments.

SHOWS: UNKNOWN LOCATION (RECENT) (WILLIAMS RACING - ACCESS ALL) 1.

HANDOUT VIDEO OF WILLIAMS' FW43 FORMULA ONE CAR (AUDIO OF ENGINE RUNNING) 2.

FW43 GRAPHIC 3.

VARIOUS STILL IMAGES OF CAR (MUTE) STORY: Williams showed off their new Formula One car with fighting talk on Monday (February 17) as the former champions seek to revive their fortunes after finishing last with just one point in a dismal 2019 campaign.

The British-based team presented the FW43 as an evolution of last year's Mercedes-powered car, for a season with no major changes before a rules revolution in 2021, but with problem areas addressed.

Once-dominant Williams have not won a grand prix since Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado's triumph in Spain in 2012.

Before that they last won in 2004.

The team's last world championship success came with Canadian Jacques Villeneuve in 1997.

They have scored only eight points, the equivalent of one sixth place, in the last two years.

The speed of the decline has been shocking, with Williams third in the championship in 2014 and 2015.

Design director Doug McKiernan said the new car, with a revised livery, had no fundamental concept changes.

Testing in Spain starts on Wednesday (February 19) and just being there will be a step up on last year when Williams were unable to get their car ready in time, finally turning up in Barcelona three days late.

The team have a changed line-up this year with 22-year-old Briton George Russell the more experienced driver alongside Canadian rookie Nicholas Latifi, who replaces departed Pole Robert Kubica.

The season starts in Australia on March 15.

(Production: Tim Hart)

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