Discussion
skinny said:
I read that this year's car was largely based on the 2019 car, except without some of the traits that made it very hard to drive quickly. That was Williams target!!
Which says to me this year is about surviving until the upcoming major rule changes. 2020 will be no more competitive for Williams than last year.
It's good they have actually launched their car on time tho
slightly easier to hit a launch window when you've only got a redecorate job though...Which says to me this year is about surviving until the upcoming major rule changes. 2020 will be no more competitive for Williams than last year.
It's good they have actually launched their car on time tho
TheDeuce said:
Russell live on air with Sky right now. He's not exactly jumping with enthusiasm but has said the car feels improved, more in the window confidence wise and 'pleasant' to drive. Pleasant is an odd choice of word for an F1 car, but is more positive than anything either driver said last year, so I'll take it 
He did reflect that pleasant doesn't = fast, and he would have to wait and see for that.
Wasn't that how the worst Honda Mclarens were described back when they felt it was a HP deficit holding them back?He did reflect that pleasant doesn't = fast, and he would have to wait and see for that.
geeks said:
DanielSan said:
geeks said:
They are already faster here than they were in qualy for 2019!
Are they faster than the 2018 car? They didn't seem to manage that much in the first half of last year Very happy to say I'm pleasantly surprised with the FW43- to be in the pack, even on day one- is a major step forward. I thoughts it would look years behind the rest but it looks up to date and maybe better than the Haas or Sauber I think.
I'm not saying it's an FW14B, but it might be an FW13, here's hoping.
I'm not saying it's an FW14B, but it might be an FW13, here's hoping.
Petrus1983 said:
I don’t care how many sandbags were used by other teams today, Williams have done well.
Me too - I'm going "glass half full" for now ... surely it can't be as bad as last year!Like many here I want to see them do well but remain unconvinced they have the right people\understanding\attitude to fix it by patching up last years car ...
Don't get me wrong, I think they're still at the back and expect to see as much confirmed by end of day Friday.
BUT!! I don't think they're quite so far back anymore that they need to end every race lapped by everyone else - and at some circuits, with a little fortune I can see a few points too.
The big question is, if they could make such a marked improvement over the winter period, why couldn't they do it last year!? I mean.. it's clearly the same basic car fettled a little, essentially what other teams would refer to as a mid season update.
Still at the back imo, but it doesn't matter. This shows the potential for forward progress which makes them interesting again - that's so important when it comes to sponsorship. They needed to make this step if only to stabilise the loss of sponsor interest and take the pressure off a little ahead of the huge challenge next year will bring.
BUT!! I don't think they're quite so far back anymore that they need to end every race lapped by everyone else - and at some circuits, with a little fortune I can see a few points too.
The big question is, if they could make such a marked improvement over the winter period, why couldn't they do it last year!? I mean.. it's clearly the same basic car fettled a little, essentially what other teams would refer to as a mid season update.
Still at the back imo, but it doesn't matter. This shows the potential for forward progress which makes them interesting again - that's so important when it comes to sponsorship. They needed to make this step if only to stabilise the loss of sponsor interest and take the pressure off a little ahead of the huge challenge next year will bring.
Edited by TheDeuce on Wednesday 19th February 20:00
Teddy Lop said:
skinny said:
I read that this year's car was largely based on the 2019 car, except without some of the traits that made it very hard to drive quickly. That was Williams target!!
Which says to me this year is about surviving until the upcoming major rule changes. 2020 will be no more competitive for Williams than last year.
It's good they have actually launched their car on time tho
slightly easier to hit a launch window when you've only got a redecorate job though...Which says to me this year is about surviving until the upcoming major rule changes. 2020 will be no more competitive for Williams than last year.
It's good they have actually launched their car on time tho
janesmith1950 said:
They made first day testing. They aren't at the back. Looks good for some midfield action this season.
Hopefully the doom-monger who is seemingly on first name terms with the owners will STFU for a bit.
I'm sorry - I would say all things being equal they were at the back today. They were on the softest tyre, and of the four drivers behind Russell, one was in a Ferrari, the other in the Racing Point - both of which we know have a good deal more to offer for obvious reasons. The other two were in a HAAS and an Alfa, both of whom would need to have taken a bigger step backwards than we can guage Williams have taken forwards in order to actually be behind if they were running in a remotely competitive way.Hopefully the doom-monger who is seemingly on first name terms with the owners will STFU for a bit.
I strongly suspect that come end of this week when we've seen all teams carry out quali and race pace runs on the full mix of tyres, the picture will not flatter Williams nearly as much as today. None of that takes away from the progress Williams have clearly made.
It's not doom mongering, it's objectivity and reason. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong - but I'm always able to reason my thoughts, it's never just stubborn or fixed opinion.
Deesee said:
Claire is doing an AMA on reddit tomorrow..
https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/comments/f6bept/...
That will be worth a read/contribution
@theduece
I was once told a story by a good mate who ‘knew’ her at uni. Ever since I’ve wanted to know if it’s true as I still find it amusing. https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/comments/f6bept/...
That will be worth a read/contribution
@theduece
skinny said:
I read that this year's car was largely based on the 2019 car, except without some of the traits that made it very hard to drive quickly. That was Williams target!!
Which says to me this year is about surviving until the upcoming major rule changes. 2020 will be no more competitive for Williams than last year.
I don't think this is just a Williams thing. Most teams have done the same. Lando Norris said the same about their car.Which says to me this year is about surviving until the upcoming major rule changes. 2020 will be no more competitive for Williams than last year.
Smollet said:
I’m just pleased they’re still racing. Apparently their time yesterday was 3/100ths off the fastest time set last year on day1.
It was off the fastest time they set all testing last year.Edited by Smollet on Thursday 20th February 09:05
Fastest of 2019 pre season: 1:18.130
Fastest day one this year: 1:18.168
What is impressive is that Russell got that result almost fresh out of the doors this year, so with increased confidence and learning over the rest of this week and next I expect they will indeed beat last years time quite solidly.
shirt said:
Deesee said:
Claire is doing an AMA on reddit tomorrow..
https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/comments/f6bept/...
That will be worth a read/contribution
@theduece
I was once told a story by a good mate who ‘knew’ her at uni. Ever since I’ve wanted to know if it’s true as I still find it amusing. https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/comments/f6bept/...
That will be worth a read/contribution
@theduece
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