New Williams F1 car feels “very different” in the simulator

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Albon and Williams excelled in 2023 on circuits that suited the low-drag FW45, which competed in the direction of the entrance of the midfield on low-downforce circuits like Monza and Montreal, however had too many weaknesses to be an all-round contender all through the season.

Williams’ greatest precedence for the FW46 was to treatment a few of its foul dealing with traits and switch it right into a constant factors rating at a greater variety of circuits.

Having sampled his new equipment within the Grove simulator, Albon has been inspired that the FW46 is already feeling “very completely different” than final 12 months’s machine.

“Very completely different – greater than something, completely different feeling, so a unique driving model [is needed],” Albon mentioned. “I do not wish to converse too quickly, however the FW45 all the time had some constant limitations with the automobile, particularly once we went to tracks like Monaco or Barcelona they have been highlighted.

“Low pace was all the time an enormous subject for us, braking was all the time an enormous subject for us, but in addition high-speed, lengthy corners have been tough for us.

“Undoubtedly, within the simulator you’ll be able to see that these areas have improved, however on the identical time that comes with fairly a unique driving model. After we hit the observe, you’ll be able to actually begin to attempt to perceive it and choose it aside.”

Alex Albon, Williams Racing

Photograph by: Williams

When requested how a lot of Williams’ 2024 adjustments have been based mostly off his suggestions, Albon mentioned: “It is not simply my suggestions, it is each team-mate, even 2020 and 2021 once I wasn’t even driving the automobile, it had the identical points, so there has all the time been an inherent subject with the Williams vehicles within the final 4 or 5 years.

“This 12 months particularly, we have sacrificed slightly little bit of growth time on the FW45 to deal with the FW46, shorten the quantity of upgrades we had on the automobile, to be sure that we tried to assault this automobile slightly bit extra aggressively and actually begin to change the DNA of the automobile. That is the plan. Let’s examine if it occurs.”

Williams simply managed to hold on to seventh within the championship towards a resurgent AlphaTauri, however its factors tally of 28 was nonetheless leagues away from the staff forward, with Alpine ending on 120 factors.

Amid optimism over Williams’ capability to make important progress this 12 months, Albon thinks closing such a large hole within the factors desk is a wholesome objective to set if the brand new automobile is as versatile as hoped.

“I’d say once you take a look at the place we completed final 12 months, we nearly held off our AlphaTauri however once you truly take a look at the hole to P6 and P5, that also fairly an enormous bounce,” he mentioned.

“Then after Alpine you’ve got bought a relatively substantial hole to the Astons, McLarens, Mercedes and also you’re principally within the prime area by that time.

Williams Racing FW46

Photograph by: Williams

“I wish to be combating Alpine and nipping on the heels of that prime group. I believe that is a practical efficiency expectation for us as a staff after which let’s examine the way it the way it unfolds.

“Podiums and wins, I believe realistically we cannot be there this 12 months. If we could be recurrently within the factors that might be nice.

“With the change of method with our automobile, we have to be constant to be that type of prime six, prime 5 staff, which we weren’t final 12 months. And I am very to see how we fare within the tracks the place we struggled; Monaco, Barcelona, these sorts of locations.”

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