Williams launches new F1 car, calls it an 80pc upgrade on last year's model

BARCELONA, Spain - Williams calls its revamped FW35 race car an 80 per cent upgrade on last year's one-time winner in Formula One. Pastor Maldonado and new teammate Valtteri Bottas unveiled the car on Tuesday at the same Catalunya Circuit where Maldonado won the Spanish Grand Prix last year. The British team said the car has a new gearbox and rear suspension, as well as changes to its nose and body, and more aerodynamic upgrades were in store after the season-opening Australian Grand Prix next month.

"Last year we won a race and were competitive, but this season we must be even more competitive which I believe is possible," Maldonado said. "Consistency will be our aim to close the gap to the teams in front."

After hitting a low point in 2011 with only five points to show for the entire season, Williams rebounded nicely last year with Maldonado's win in Spain from pole position as he held off Ferrari's Fernando Alonso for the team's 114th title and its first since 2004. Celebrations for the long-awaited return to the top of the podium, however, were immediately cut short when a fire broke out in the team's garage that injured 16 people and sent one to the hospital with severe burns. From that point on Williams wouldn't have a car finish better than fifth place and ended the constructors' championship eighth in a 12-team field.

Founder and team principal Frank Williams said he was hopeful his latest car could "challenge" with the upper-echelon of teams, most likely to again be occupied by Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren.

"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," he said. "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, (...) we will be in a position to challenge the very best."

The Grove-based outlet's ninth and last constructors' title came in 1997. While Maldonado will need to match his speed from last year with steadier driving so as to remain in the points, Williams' success as a team will also depend on Bottas having a good first season. Bottas replaced Bruno Senna after spending last season as a reserve driver for Williams. The 23-year-old Finnish driver, who started driving karts when he was six, drove in 15 practice sessions before being promoted to race driver.

"I'm really excited," said Bottas. "The moment the start lights go out in Melbourne is a moment I have been building toward my whole career."

Williams will have eight days of practice in two separate tests in Barcelona to prepare for the Australian GP on March 17.

By Joseph Wilson
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS