FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Williams launches FW34

Williams today unveiled their 2012 F1 challenger the Williams-Renault FW34.

The team decided to show the car in the pitlane at Jerez prior to pre-season testing starting this morning. The Williams is the first chassis to be produced by the new technical team led by Technical Director Mike Coughlan and ChMark Gillan and Chief Operations Engineer Mark Gillan. The car features the stepped nose, as on most of its rivals.

This season sees Pastor Maldonado returning for a second season driving for the team, along with the addition of Bruno Senna. The new chassis sees a switch from Cosworth to Renault power units.

After an lacklustre season in 2011, the team finishing ninth in the constructors championship, the team hopes the new car will revive its fortunes.

Team Principal Frank Williams said, "One could say that looking at the Williams F1 Team today we are off to a truly fresh start. We have a new car, new driver line up, new engine and new senior personnel. We also have a number of new partners who have joined the team in the past few months. I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome them formally and sincerely wish that they have an enjoyable and, most importantly, a valuable experience with us. The team has had a good winter at the factory and we feel ready and strong for the fight."

Chief Operations Engineer Mark Gillan said, "We are really looking forward to this season and from a personal perspective I can't wait to get the FW34 on to the race track. The factory has worked extremely hard over the winter to ensure that the car met its design, build and rig test targets and we start testing with the car prepared to a high standard. We've worked in close co-operation with all of our partners to achieve that, including Renault Sport F1. In the run-up to Australia, we will be working hard with our exciting new driver line-up to ensure that we maximise and unlock the full potential of the FW34. It is imperative that we demonstrate a continuous improvement in our performance and deliver results throughout the season."

Pastor Maldonado said, "I'm happy to be racing again with Williams. I have faith in the FW34 and the Renault engine and so have high hopes for the races ahead. It will be very important that we develop the car from the start of the season to the end. Now that I have a year's experience, I can help in that area much more now. As we start a new year, it's an exciting moment for my country Venezuela and I hope we can give them some good results to thank them for their continued support. We have many new components in the team so we will need to be focussed and work together well so that we may be stronger every day. I wish everyone in the team the best for the year and welcome Renault and Bruno."

Bruno Senna said, "I'm very excited to be back in action with the Williams F1 Team in Jerez. This is my ever first pre-season testing programme since I started in Formula One two years ago. I'm really motivated and looking forward to working hard and with everyone in the team. I hope we have a successful month testing and developing the car so we arrive in Melbourne as well prepared as possible."

Reserve driver Valtteri Bottas said, "I am really excited about the year ahead and grateful to the team for giving me this opportunity. I will be driving one practice session at 15 races which will give me some proper mileage with the car. This will give me a better understanding of the car as well as an insight into what happens at a race weekend. I will still spend a lot of time at the factory preparing for the practice sessions and helping the team to develop the car over the season."