Formula One winter testing is now all wrapped up.
After 8 days of testing in Barcelona, everyone in the paddock is now trying to guess how well everyone has done, who are the main contenders and who could be struggling.
One of the teams that many believe could be in for a season of struggle is Williams.
With Felipe Massa retiring properly on this occasion, Williams have named a youthful driving line up with Sergey Sirotkin partnering Lance Stroll.
Lance, meet #FW41 👋🏻 #FW41, meet Lance 👋🏻
2018, we are go! ✅ #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/FnyPGy2NcJ
? WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) 26 February 2018
How can two youngsters help develop the car to the competitive standards required to maintain their top five finish in the Formula One constructors championship?
In testing at least the answer was to draft in reserve driver Robert Kubica.
Welcome back, Robert! 👋#F1 #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/mfApltNJN1
? Formula 1 (@F1) 27 February 2018
He duly impressed, whilst Sirotkin and Stroll could be described as inconsistent.
Despite completing 819 laps, only bettered by Toro Rosso Honda, Ferrari and Mercedes, the best time set by the team of 1minute 19.189s on day 8 was the slowest ‘best time’ of all 10 teams.
In fact a Williams driver finished bottom for the timesheet on all four days of the second winter test session.
Chequered flag 🏁
Two weeks of testing… ✅#FW41 👋
Next up… @ausgrandprix! #F1Testing #F1 pic.twitter.com/0Oyrsgu5pK
? WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) 9 March 2018
‘Today brings to an end our 13-day pre-season testing session in Spain, during which we have run eight full track days and two promotional events, and given time in the car to Lance, Sergey and Robert. The weather has not been ideal, but the team have made the best of the time and conditions available. Considering this car had not even fired up just two weeks ago, reliability has been very impressive with only two significant failures losing track time. We have learnt a lot about the FW41 and completed all the necessary commissioning processes to be fully prepared for the first race. Well done to the team for the huge job done so far, and especially to our three drivers who have pushed themselves and the team hard but without incident, especially in some very tricky conditions. Williams Chief Technical Officer Paddy Lowe told williamsf1.com.
