It was from New York that Williams, now owned by American investors, presented the FW46, its single-seater which will defend the colors of the Grove team in this 2024 Formula 1 World Championship. In the Puma store, two not the Rockeller Center and its famous open-air ice rink in the heart of Manhattan, it is a car visually in line with the previous ones which has been unveiled.
The main shade is darker, “heritage navy blue” (in homage to Williams’ historic color), than the previous one. A red and white border highlights the front of the car, another reminder of the past (notably the cars from 1985 and that of Jacques Villeneuve in 1997). Finally, other shades of blue, towards the rear, “show both what we are and the direction we want to take for the future”, underlined James Vowles, the boss of a team in full transformation.
“We’re doing a good job I think, even if I don’t want to speak too quickly”
Logan Sargeant, pilote Williams
“There are a few more sponsors too, which is not bad,” noted with a smile Alexander Albon, who will still be responsible for leading the team, accompanied by Logan Sargeant, who is starting his second season in F1. . “We’re doing a good job I think, even if I don’t want to speak too quickly,” joked Albon, whose car last year was one of the most basic in the field, particularly in terms of the flat bottom.
“From now on, we take more risks and we try to leave our old habits behind us,” promised the driver before emphasizing: “This new car should mark a big difference in driving style with that of 2023.” Confirmation will come from February 20, with a day of filming (with limited mileage) in Bahrain, the day before the start of official pre-season testing, still on the Sakhir circuit.
