Williams. Surprise package of the season so far?

[Cyder]

I've been really impressed with their turnaround in fortune, from a team that could barely stay in front of a Team Malaysia/Lotus/Caterham last year to a genuine top 10 contender this season.

Maldonado and Senna have also both surprised me, I know Maldonado trhrew it off into the scenery in Oz but other than that both he and Senna have driven pretty well to get some decent results.

I'm also quite liking seeing Sauber having a few good runs this season so far.

Maybe worth a sneaky £5 on one of the Williams getting on the podium at some point this season?

[McHaggis]

Yup, I think so. Car looks pretty good in race pace - and both drivers seem to be getting comfortable and confident. Maldonado has shown in several moves that he is no easy target pay driver.

My prediction is Williams will be best of the rest come season end - 5th or 6th in the table. Some podiums would help the sponsorship investment for 2013, which they are starting to justify.

[nice audi driver]

Not compared to sauber in my opinion. Sauber are distinctly average historically so their consistently good pace is surprising me! Williams had a poor season last year and have bounced back to the pace they should have, which is to be expected of a team with their sort of pedigree.

[DanDC5]

I'm surprised with Maldonado, he seems to have gone from being a waste of fuel and tyres to being a pretty decent hard racer.

[mollytherocker]

I am confused as to what Williams have actually done. Last years car was very poor.

Whats changed?

MTR

[Streps]

The decision to switch to Renault power seems to be helping pace. This years car appears more reliable and a much better competative package overall...something they can build on.

[anonymous-user]

mollytherocker said:

I am confused as to what Williams have actually done. Last years car was very poor.

Whats changed?

MTR

Hmm, perhaps you're watching a different F1 season to the rest of us?

[Life Saab Itch]

mollytherocker said:

I am confused as to what Williams have actually done. Last years car was very poor.

Whats changed?

MTR

Change of technical staff would seem to be key.

They have taken on a lot of very good people in the industry, not just going for big names.

Whatever they've done, they seem to have got rid of last years gremlins.

Senna and Maldonado seem to be proving that they are actually good racers. As long as Maldonado doesn't act the again this year his value may go up. So far Senna has more than justified his position in F1. He deserves to be there on merit far more than certain other drivers.

[telecat]

The change to the Renault Engine has allowed the back and sides of the car to be aerodynamically optimised. This has meant they have been able to really make use of the smallest gearbox on the grid to create a superb rear end on the FW34. I'd say the weakest link are the drivers. If they had got Kimi or somebody like that to drive it they could have even more points.

[Vocal Minority]

I agree that Maldanado and Senna have been pretty impressive. It is easy to assume they are useless as they come with sponsorship.

However, whilst they probably won't set anyones trousers on fire, they are certainly competent F1 drivers.

[DanDC5]

I think Bruno Senna still has some serious talent, he just needs a decent season to get settled in to the sport properly, a season in a HRT and half a season in a Renault/Lotus aren't the best start to an F1 career.

[Munter]

telecat said:

Renault Engine

That and the front teams (Red Bull), have had some of their major aero advantages removed. I think that's why Quali was so close for the top 10. Excluding Mercs fancy wing, none of the other teams have come up with a major technical advantage.

Red Bull have just had the moment Williams had when active suspension was banned.

So a better engine/packaging and a more level playing field for everybody, has but Williams further up the grid with a 'solid' car.

[telecat]

Munter said:

telecat said:

Renault Engine

That and the front teams (Red Bull), have had some of their major aero advantages removed. I think that's why Quali was so close for the top 10. Excluding Mercs fancy wing, none of the other teams have come up with a major technical advantage.

Red Bull have just had the moment Williams had when active suspension was banned.

So a better engine/packaging and a more level playing field for everybody, has but Williams further up the grid with a 'solid' car.

As stated later the Gearbox they introduced last year was compromised by the Cosworth Installation. The Renault engine has allowed them to make the most of the bigger area around the rear suspension.

[chevronb37]

It was pretty apparent standing at Oulton Park's Cascades as Senna hammered home two convincing F3 victories in 2006 that he was the real deal. Maldonado's GP2 career was a bit mixed but he always seemed to come alive in adverse circumstances like poor weather or at Monaco, suggesting a talent yet to be fully realised. The 'pay driver' tags rile me slightly as both these guys are way too good for that. We're not talking about Gianni Lavaggi here - these are genuine pro drivers who could earn a place on merit. The fact that they have commercial backing only strengthens their positions. I'm really chuffed to see both Williams and Sauber near the front - the more competitive teams, the better the action, as evidenced by China's fierce scrap for second downwards on Sunday.

[CypherP]

DanDC5 said:

I think Bruno Senna still has some serious talent, he just needs a decent season to get settled in to the sport properly, a season in a HRT and half a season in a Renault/Lotus aren't the best start to an F1 career.

Totally agree with you. He wasn't given the best start in the sport in terms of his team placements. Granted he isn't going to come straight into the sport and instantly continue the success of his uncle, but he seems to be doing all he can to prove himself with Williams. Sunday's race was really exciting and having such a large number of drivers all in contention was so good I re-watched the whole thing again yesterday.

I do hope that Williams continue to provide exciting racing this season. It would be fantastic to see them scrapping with the boys up front for points again.

[lord summerisle]

chevronb37 said:

It was pretty apparent standing at Oulton Park's Cascades as Senna hammered home two convincing F3 victories in 2006

I remember those races - it was my first time Marshaling, was at Watertower. He was a second a lap quicker than the rest of the field that day for both races.

[Redlake27]

I think we could have a Williams podium by mid-season.

If they had got Kimi (as was expected last autumn) they could have been a real surprise

[Lost soul]

DanDC5 said:

I think Bruno Senna still has some serious talent, he just needs a decent season to get settled in to the sport properly, a season in a HRT and half a season in a Renault/Lotus aren't the best start to an F1 career.

[Ahonen]

Looking ahead, the other good thing for Williams is the pace of the young Bottas lad - he's very, very quick.

[vtgts300kw]

As others have said, love the position Sauber and Williams have gotten themselves into.

Anyone know who the new sponsor is?