After deciding against unveiling their car at the first test in Jerez, the Williams team unveiled their new FW35 ahead of the winter test in Barcelona.
There was a lot of talk about what Williams would come up with, with many in the paddock believing that Williams could make a significant step forward in 2013.
Whilst a lot of the teams have gone for evolution over the winter, with few regulation changes between last season and this, Williams have almost designed and developed a brand new car.
The first visual change people will notice is the nose, gone is the broken step nose design and in comes a sleek straight nose, with a front wing different to any other cars on the grid.
In fact in direct comparison to the 2012 FW34 it is thought that the new car is 80% straight out of the factory, with a new gearbox, suspension, radiators, floor, exhaust, bodywork, nose and is significantly lighter.
There has also been some interesting design work around the back end of the car, which may or may not prove to be legal, but overall the new Williams looks like a good car and one that technical director Mike Coughlan and team principal Frank Williams seem to be very pleased with.
?Given the rule stability over the winter, I?m pleased with the gains that we?ve been able to make with this car, It?s a better, more refined Formula One car than the FW34 and I think everyone involved in the project can feel proud of the work they?ve done.? Coughlan told formula1.com.
Sir Frank Williams added: ?A group of talented people with good imagination and plenty of courage have been working together to build the Williams Renault FW35. We will have to wait until Australia to truly see what we have, but we believe it is step forward from last year?s car which was also a very competitive vehicle. Pastor is a delightful character who is a massively determined racer, whilst Valtteri is quieter but still waters run deep and he is a highly gifted driver.
?Williams has been at the top many times over the last 30 years. It?s the nature of the sport to have ups and downs, but when we are down we always fight our way back. I?m hoping that with the current team we have in place, our new FW35, the combined talent of Pastor, Valtteri and Susie [Wolff, development driver], and the continued support from our partners; we will be in a position to challenge the very best.?
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